Released on = December 11, 2006, 2:46 am

Press Release Author = Jon Chance

Industry = Management

Press Release Summary = Following the BBC\'s report on the extent of emigration, the
impact of new technologies on Brits\' decisions to live abroad is considered.

Press Release Body =

Studies by the Institute for Public Policy Research,
published on the BBC News website, indicates that at least 5.5m British-born people
live abroad. In 2005 alone, the UK saw 198,000 Britons leave for a new life.

One of the contributing factors to this wave of emigration not mentioned in the
BBC report is the likely impact of new technologies and particularly the growth of
the internet.

Now, more than ever before, Brits who are considering moving overseas can obtain
detailed information about any region in any country, from climate patterns to
economic outlook, with just a few clicks of the mouse. And once they\'ve found their
ideal area, the internet also allows them to look for property, employment and even
schools for the kids. Previously, planning emigration was time-consuming and
complicated.

Brits also know that once they\'ve arrived in their new location, they\'ll be
better connected to people \'back home\' than until now. For example, even some of
Europe\'s most rural areas now benefit from high-speed ADSL internet services.
Staying in touch with family and friends has never been easier, faster or cheaper,
through internet phone services and video calls.

And this connectivity also means that Brits have the option now to continue to
work \'in Britain\' from their new overseas base. There is a growing trend in working
electronically, by email and telephone, meaning that physical location is no longer
as important as it used to be.

One typical example, Luke Bowen, a Brit whose consultancy business offers
services to the marketing community, has moved from London to South West France.

"I write pitch and proposal documents for marketing agencies and help companies
with brand marketing, so the work I do can be done largely from a remote location,"
says Bowen. "I can take a brief by phone, liase with other parties during
development and then present my work by email."

He admits that from time to time it's necessary to fly to London for face-to-face
meetings with clients, but the widespread availability of cheap flight connections
minimises the cost of this inconvenience.

In addition to the obvious lifestyle benefits of living in a warmer and less
polluted environment, Bowen believes his business, pitch-partner.com, benefits from
a competitive advantage. "I can operate in exactly the same way as I used to from
London," he explains. "The difference now is that I don't have London's cost of
living, so I can offer my clients lower prices than before."

According to the research, Luke Bowen is not an unusual case. Many of those
going overseas appear to be young and highly skilled; the government estimated that
four in 10 of those leaving in 2004 were in managerial or professional occupations.
Whilst some of these will be concentrating upon their new local markets for
employment, there will be many who still offer their services in the UK.