NHS migrant surcharge Scrapped for NHS workers

[hussain1988]

I want to know snice I work for NHS as a cleaner under a private company will I be exempted from paying for my wife's NHS surcharge.

My wife does not work due to having young kids to look after.

[seagul]

I want to know snice I work for NHS as a cleaner under a private company will I be exempted from paying for my wife's NHS surcharge.

My wife does not work due to having young kids to look after.

Probably not because you are working for a private agency instead NHS despite currently deployed on NHS site. But still keep a close eye over this latest news as it may include the subcontractors too at later.

[hussain1988]

The extension of the scheme - which was originally announced last month - to include cleaners, porters, social care staff and care home workers will be effective immediately and retrospectively, the Home Office confirmed.

That's what home office confirmed.

[seagul]

At the moment there is no mention about the subcontractors employed through private agencies probably due to their placement fluctuate from week/month to week/month elsewhere. However, at later they might include them depending on their length of service, role during pandemic and future viable placement over there.

The change will apply to all NHS workers, including porters, cleaners, independent health workers and social care staff

https://news.sky.com/story/boris-johnso ... d-11992317

[hussain1988]

Nearly all hospitals porters, cleaners, catering staff are run by private contractors within the NHS.

It clearly says porters, cleaners, catering staff will be exempt regardless of the company who runs it with in each NHS Trust.

[seagul]

Nearly all hospitals porters, cleaners, catering staff are run by private contractors within the NHS.

It clearly says porters, cleaners, catering staff will be exempt regardless of the company who runs it with in each NHS Trust.

I wish that is the case whilst unsure as how will it work because agency workers most often work under weekly roster and move around at numerous different client places. Just wait for the more news & guidance without over expecting.

[hussain1988]

I'm not over excepting I just heard the news

[secret.simon]

The news is generalities. We will have to see what the rules and regulations will state when they come out. UK immigration rules and regulations can be very precise in their framing. As @seagul has said above, don't get your hopes up too high.

I have had a quick read of the newspaper coverage of the matter and almost all of them specifically state "NHS and care workers". Indeed, ITV specifically states "doctors and nurses". So the number of people who will likely benefit may be much smaller than you think.

The Guardian's article on the matter also makes it clear as to why the government was so reluctant to concede on this issue.

Figures from the House of Commons Library showed that £917m was raised over four years from all migrants paying the surcharge. The library estimated it would cost about £35m a year to exempt all NHS staff, and more for care workers.

So it is unlikely to be as generous as you may think.