Manchester returning residents disappointed at UK's withdrawal from European Union

In the wake of the United Kingdom's (UK) withdrawal from the European Union (EU), some returning residents in Manchester are of the view that the move could result in a gradual decline in the standard of living of Britons.

Among the issues raised by the returning residents were a likely downturn in the economy, a decrease in pension benefits, and the rigours that will now be associated with travel to and from the country.

"My thoughts were that they should remain with the EU. After being a part of it for so many years, they have established themselves and now it's really going to disrupt the functions of the UK," said Sadie Tollison.

"If I were there, I would have voted to remain ... . For England to be on its own now, it's not a good thing. There is strength in numbers and it would have been good for them to remain," Tollison added.

Lyn Kennedy-McKenzie, who lived in the UK, said the decision to sever ties with the EU would have severe negative consequences on almost every aspect of the country.

NEGATIVE IMPACTS

She argued that the decision to leave the EU is already negatively impacting the pensions of returning residents.

"If their pension is returned to them in sterling, which it is, then already they would have lost, on the exchange rate, a significant amount of their earnings ... . Some of these pensioners rely on a fixed income, and if they are not able to buy what they need to buy, then they become victims of this 'No Campaign'," Kennedy-McKenzie said.

"It's usually the people on the margins that will suffer the most ... . It's a serious choice that Britain has made that will affect the blacks, the returning residents, the people who go and come, particularly for health care," she added.