We will be lobbying the House of Lords to send a message to the Government that decision is completely unacceptable.
In response to the Government's decision to vote in favour of doubling the Immigration Health Surcharge for overseas workers from £200 to £400 per person, Professor Dame Donna Kinnair, Acting Chief Executive and General Secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, said:
“The Government has voted to continue its hostile environment for international nurses, doubling the amount they must pay to work in the UK. These nurses already contribute financially through National Insurance and taxation, not to mention the work they do to care for us and our loved ones.
“These fees can tear families apart, separating mother from child. Our health services depend on professionals from around the world, but the Government has now signalled they are no longer welcome.
“We will be lobbying the House of Lords to send a message to the Government that this morally bankrupt decision is completely unacceptable, especially in light of the recent Windrush scandal.
“The very people who deliver healthcare should be the last people to have to pay spiralling extra charges for it. We will continue the fight to have these charges waived for nursing staff.”
