My nephew, who followed my sister out to Spain, has had to return because his client base of British nationals having building work done to their houses, has completely vanished because uncertainty about their future has caused them to stop home improvements. As my nephew was uncertain of his own status, he decided to bite the bullet and move back.

He's very fortunate in that he had a rather varied set of work experiences that led him into a very well paid and secure job here. But I doubt he'll be the only person forced back.

After all, health care is important to them and if the reciprocal arrangments about payments aren't agreed an awful lot of pensioners are suddenly going to have to pay for healthcare or come home.

keep to the Fen Causeway