The Home Secretary Priti Patel has unveiled Britain’s new fast-track health and care visa as part of the UK’s plans for a points-based immigration system when freedom of movement with the EU ends at the end of the year.
The health and care visa will be open to workers who have a confirmed job offer in one of a number of “skilled” roles. Such roles include but are not limited to as doctors, nurses, radiographers, social workers and paramedics.
The Home Secretary has stated that employers, the NHS and its providers will be encouraged to invest in workers from within the UK. Priti Patel is adamant that the new system would also allow them to “attract the best and brightest from around the world”.
However, the GMB union that represents NHS staff has said that these new rules are an “embarrassing shambles” as a result of frontline care home workers and contractors being excluded from this visa. In addition to this the GMB union is angered that the minimum salary threshold of £20,480 will mean that many cleaners, porters and support staff would also not qualify.
The new immigration plan will see those wanting to live and work in the UK must gain 70 points. Under these plans there will be a mandatory requirement for visa applicants to have a job offer that is on a list of eligible occupations and speak English – this will earn them 50 points. Additional points will be awarded for meeting a range of criteria such as holding a PhD relevant to the job or earning more than what is described as the “general salary threshold” of £25,600.
UNN’s Oliver Down understands that those with job offers in what is to be described as “shortage occupations” such as nursing and civil engineering currently would also be able to earn extra points. Although, this will develop and evolve with time.
This paper also confirms the previous announcement that that foreign criminals who have been jailed for more than a year could be banned from coming to the UK as well as foreign nationals who are already in the UK who have been sentenced to a year or more in prison “must be considered for deportation”.
Current Affairs Correspondent | My name is Oliver Down I am 22, and a staunch brexiteer. I am a Bristolian lad who studied politics in Leicester. I believe in free speech and accurate journalism and I won’t be afraid to give you “the other side” of the story!
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