国际英语资讯:Britain prepares to leave EU amid public concerns over uncertainty_时事

国际英语资讯:Britain prepares to leave EU amid public concerns over uncertainty

In September, the British government announced that if Britain left the EU without a deal it would continue to fund the healthcare costs of Britons living abroad, mainly pensioners, who benefit from reciprocal healthcare arrangements for a maximum of six months, or 12 for people with pre-existing conditions.

Public concerns have not been assuaged by the fact that some EU states have not updated their Brexit information online to take account of the Withdrawal Agreement, the Guardian newspaper reported.

Under the agreement, at the end of the transition period in December 2020, anyone with an existing British S1 reciprocal healthcare form will continue to have their healthcare costs met by the government, as long as they remain legally resident in their host country.

An S1 form will also entitle the holder to a "UK European health insurance card" for treatment when travelling within the EU. Pensioners living on the continent will also continue to be entitled, under Britain law, to free treatment in Britain, said the Guardian.

With 80 percent of the estimated 1.3 million Britons on the continent of working age or younger, the Withdrawal Agreement's failure to guarantee continued rights to freedom of movement, cross-border working and cross-border recognition of professional qualifications for Britons was of real concern, said the newspaper.

After 11:00 p.m. (2300 GMT) Friday, the British passport is expected to change color. Blue passports will be making a return, more than 30 years after they were replaced by the current burgundy design.