The UK Government is being urged to include care workers in a review of immigration health fees paid by foreign NHS workers.

People coming to live in the UK face a £400 immigration health surcharge every year and for each family member - meaning a family of four on a five year work permit face an £8,000 bill.

The UK Government says the extra payment, which comes on top of other application fees, covers the cost of using the health service. 

On the 25^th April Home Secretary Priti Patel said this was “under review” in light of the “extraordinary contribution” of NHS workers from abroad.

Now a group of Scottish charities and organisations representing the care sector in Scotland is urging the Home Secretary to include international care workers and volunteers in any changes.

The bodies behind the letter are the Health and Social Care Alliance, the Coalition of Care & Support Providers in Scotland, Scottish Care, Camphill Scotland and Volunteer Scotland.

It follows their call, alongside the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations, for overseas care staff to have their visas extended automatically in recognition of their service during the covid-19 crisis.

Scotland's Health Secretary has said there is "no good reason" why care staff should be treated differently, though the power to make any changes rests with the UK Government.

Camphill Scotland represents communities across Scotland where volunteers live and work with around 600 people with learning disabilities.

In the letter the organisation says the surcharge is “already a deterrent” to the young people coming to work with vulnerable Scots.

The charge is set to increase to £624 in October, prompting fears “far fewer” volunteers will be able to come to the UK.

Last year Camphill warned that UK government immigration policies were making it difficult for people to come to Scotland to volunteer in social care, with visa applications routinely thrown out for ‘trivial reasons’.

Camphill CEO Dr Neil Henery said: “We urge the Home Secretary to include social care workers along with NHS staff in her review of the Immigration Health Surcharge.

“Hundreds of young international volunteers come to work in Camphill communities every year for free. Now they will be charged an additional £624 on top of their visa costs to do so.

“At this time of crisis we must do all we can to encourage international volunteering but this charge will sadly do the opposite.”

A UK Government spokesperson said: “We are hugely grateful for the contributions social care workers make, particularly in these challenging times.”

“The Government is supporting the sector in a number of different ways, including providing additional funding for adult and children’s social care. We will continue to work to see how best we can support social care workers.

“Income from the immigration health surcharge goes directly back into the NHS to help save lives.”

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