Reform UK levy on employing overseas staff ‘would harm NHS and social care’
Summary
Reform UK's proposal to charge employers an annual fee for hiring workers without a UK passport could increase costs for important services like the NHS, social care, schools, and universities. Experts warn this plan might cause staff shortages and financial problems in these sectors.Key Facts
- Reform UK wants employers to pay a "migrant worker surcharge" for each staff member without a UK passport, including EU nationals with settled status, except Irish passport holders.
- The charge would be a higher rate of employer national insurance plus a separate annual fee.
- The plan applies across the UK and does not exclude sectors with staff shortages like healthcare and education.
- About 20% of NHS England staff are not UK nationals, so the policy could raise NHS costs and affect patient care.
- Overseas teachers make up nearly 6% of teachers in England, especially in subjects with few UK candidates like languages and physics.
- Universities spend up to 60% of their budgets on staff salaries and could face financial trouble from extra fees.
- Experts say such costs could lead to reduced services, risk worker exploitation, and increase pressure on public funds.
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