Thanks to those constituents who have been in touch
with regard to the campaign for foreign national NHS and social care staff
working in the UK through the Covid-19 crisis to receive automatic UK citizenship.
The government recognises how valuable NHS and
social care staff from overseas are to the UK, which is why we have committed
to extending visas for health and social care workers and their families for a
year. Health and social care with visas due to expire before 1st
October 2020 will have them automatically extended for one year, free of
charge.
All NHS and social care workers will also be exempt
from paying the health immigration surcharge currently charged to non-EU
migrants. The purpose of the NHS surcharge is to benefit the NHS, help to care
for the sick and save lives. NHS and care workers from abroad who are granted
visas are doing this already by the fantastic contribution which they make,
which is why all NHS workers – as well as independent health workers and social
care workers – will now be exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge. Work
by Government is now underway on how to implement the change and full details
will be announced in the coming days
By giving them the peace of mind that they do not
need to apply for a visa extension or pay this health immigration surcharge,
this will allow those at the frontline to focus fully on combatting coronavirus
and saving lives.
Additionally, if any NHS staff or social care
workers sadly lose their life to Covid-19 their families will be granted
indefinite leave to remain, free of charge. Every death is a tragedy and very
sadly, some NHS staff and social care workers have made the ultimate sacrifice
in the pursuit of saving the lives of others. This is being implemented
immediately, and retrospectively, to ensure no bereaved families will be forced
from their home.
The government is continuing to review how we can
best support frontline NHS workers during this crisis, and how best to recognise
the immense dedication and sacrifices all these staff have made through this
global health crisis.
The new Immigration and Social Security
Co-Ordination (EU Withdrawal) Bill introduced in March will also pave the way
for a more flexible, firmer, fairer and simpler immigration system. It will
also make it easier and quicker for medical professionals around the world to
work in the NHS through a new fast-track NHS visa.
All citizens, regardless of where they were born, living in
Cornwall and the UK are valued members of our community. Those who have been
working on the frontline during this crisis, especially those in the NHS and
social care, have my immense gratitude and support and I will continue to
advocate for further recognition and support.
