Should UK have an MP for expats?

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People from Britain who live abroad have been offered the prospect of greater representation in the UK through the suggestion of constituencies for overseas voters, but the plan has some way to go before it wins over many in the UAE.

The Liberal Democrats, led by Ed Davey, want British citizens to have their own MPs to represent them in Parliament.

Those living abroad who are registered can vote in general elections but their ballot applies to the last place in which they lived in the UK.

The Liberal Democrats want to change that and follow France, Italy, Portugal and Croatia, all of which have separate representatives for overseas voters.

George Cunningham, chairman of the Steering Committee of Lib Dems Abroad, told The National: “The local MP is not really focused on the issues of people abroad, because it’s such a small proportion of constituents.

“So they rarely deal with them and therefore they cannot adequately serve them.”

He said MPs would address specific issues affecting expats, such as frozen state pensions, which do not increase annually in line with those collected in the UK.

Mr Cunningham said the issue affects half a million pensioners living overseas.

“You have people living on a quarter of the pension that’s being received at home, if they are quite elderly,” he added.

Up to three million long-term overseas' residents are eligible to vote for the first time in Thursday’s election following a change in the law.

Part of the UK government's Election Act 2022, the change means citizens who have lived abroad for more than 15 years but have either previously lived in or been registered to vote in Britain are now permitted to vote.

They include long-term UAE expat, Jennifer Brown, a Scot living in Abu Dhabi, who said the idea of overseas constituencies was “interesting in principle”.

“Long-term expats have been disenfranchised and disengaged for years, partly due to not being able to engage with the government," she said.

“Perhaps this would enable more engaged expats? If so, I think it would lead to a positive outcome.”

Keren Bobker, administrator of the British Expats Dubai and UAE Facebook page, and a columnist for The National, who is also voting for the first time in years following the change in law, said it was probably not a priority for many voters, even those overseas.

“I’d like to think that many of us will vote for the greater good, not just for self-interest, so our votes will be about more than what works for us as non-residents.

The Liberal Democrats, led by Ed Davey, pictured, want British citizens to have their own MPs to represent them in Parliament. AFP

“How different are our views to those of UK residents, especially for those who plan to return one day?”

Polls suggest the Labour Party is on course for a return to power for the first time since 2010 with an overwhelming majority.

That outcome would see Britain swing leftwards back to the centre ground after almost a decade and a half of right-wing Conservative governments.

Labour has enjoyed a consistent 20-point lead in the polls over the past two years, with many voters dissatisfied at the Conservatives' handling of a range of issues including the cost of living, public services, immigration and the economy.

But on Tuesday former prime minister Boris Johnson – who was ousted by his own colleagues, including current Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, in 2022 after a string of scandals, and who has been notably absent from the campaign – urged supporters not to see the result as a "foregone conclusion".

UK general election campaigning - in pictures

The Brexit stalwart told a rally late on Tuesday that Labour leader Keir Starmer would try to "usher in the most left-wing Labour government" since the Second World War.

Earlier, Survation pollsters predicted Labour was on track for more than the 418 seats it won when Tony Blair ended 18 years of Conservative rule in 1997.

Labour requires at least 326 seats to secure a majority.

Who was Alfred Nobel?

The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.

In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.

8. Pillar 2 implementation

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

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