The United Kingdom announced on Thursday its intention to raise visa fees and immigration health surcharge (IHS) in order to generate additional funds for increased pay in the public sector. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stated during a press conference that charges for migrants applying for visas and the immigration health surcharge, which grants access to the NHS, will both see significant increases.
Sunak emphasized that if the government aims to prioritize higher wages for public sector workers, the necessary funding must come from alternative sources. He clarified that he is not inclined to raise taxes on individuals and believes that borrowing more funds would exacerbate inflation, making it an irresponsible approach.
As a result, all visa application fees will experience a substantial rise, along with the immigration health surcharge for migrants legally entering the country. The prime minister estimated that these adjustments will generate over a billion pounds, thereby making a significant contribution to supporting public sector worker salaries.
Sunak justified the fee increases by pointing out that they have not been adjusted in recent times, despite the continuous rise in general costs. Consequently, these adjustments are deemed necessary and appropriate in order to provide adequate compensation for public sector employees.
Recent strikes by public sector workers, including teachers and healthcare professionals, have urged the government to increase wages. In response to recommendations from an independent pay review body, the government agreed to a pay raise ranging from five to seven percent.
The prime minister clarified that the funds for this pay increase will be sourced from higher visa fees and health surcharges paid by foreigners entering the UK. Currently, the surcharge stands at £470 per year for students and those on Youth Mobility Scheme visas, while all other visa and immigration applications require a payment of £624 per year. The same amounts must be paid for any dependents. However, these fees will now increase following the announcement made by the prime minister.
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