IHS increase

[Goenitz]

Just a query.

So far it is all over the internet that the Health Surcharge will increase by 66% but no earlier than 16th Jan 2024. Or after 21 days when the bill is accepted.
Therefore, whichever will be the latter (on 16th or 17th etc).

When this bill will be presented or its already done? I cannot find any news about it but just that from the 16th, it will be.

Regards

[ska_abbas]

Came across this yesterday

https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/re ... /cbp-9920/

Apparently the Government is making plans to have 'Transitional arrangements' for those who are already in the UK and they may be exempt from this. Please see below the question that was asked in the parliament and Govt't response to it.

https://questions-statements.parliament ... 12-05/5333

[Goenitz]

Came across this yesterday

https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/re ... /cbp-9920/

Apparently the Government is making plans to have 'Transitional arrangements' for those who are already in the UK and they may be exempt from this. Please see below the question that was asked in the parliament and Govt't response to it.

https://questions-statements.parliament ... 12-05/5333

Could you tell me please if the bill to increase IHS fee has been approved? Where can we get the schedule of parliament debates? I want to see if this bill is being presentedd before the holidays!
I know that houses will be closed from 20 Dec to 7th Jan. So, if that bill/draft is not approved (to become law) before the break, the increase date will be after 16th Jan at least.

https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/l ... 4/2404.htm
It is still affirmative (not law)

[Goenitz]

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2023/9780348252637

There are no dates when this page was made..it says still it is not a statutory statement.

it was published on 7th Dec
https://committees.parliament.uk/public ... 3/default/

[alterhase58]

[...]
Could you tell me please if the bill to increase IHS fee has been approved? Where can we get the schedule of parliament debates? I want to see if this bill is being presentedd before the holidays!
I know that houses will be closed from 20 Dec to 7th Jan. So, if that bill/draft is not approved (to become law) before the break, the increase date will be after 16th Jan at least.
[...]

Statutory Instruments are not necessarily debated. It is very rare that an SI is sent back to minsters.
@secret.simon has described how this works.
immigration-for-family-members/how-new- ... t#p2139330

[raj2023]

https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/re ... es%20count

[Goenitz]

Statutory Instruments are not necessarily debated. It is very rare that an SI is sent back to minsters.
@secret.simon has described how this works.
immigration-for-family-members/how-new- ... t#p2139330

Thank you for the reply. So, at least it will be presented (for approval) but may/may not be debated.
I hope the 16th Jan date is bunched up with the other 5 points till Spring.

[Goenitz]

It was just debated today..
Some clarification is needed as HO hasn't justified/proof as the quote doesn't match
"At the moment, however, the real issue is how many of our migrants are going to face this enormous surcharge in the NHS fee, which has not been justified in any of the documentation provided by the Home Office."
https://hansard.parliament.uk/lords/202 ... )Order2023
Anyway, it will increase
"IHS fee increase. The Immigration Health Surcharge will increase on 16 January 2024 (or soon after at the end of January) from £624 to £1,035 per year of the visa (£470 to £776 for students, Youth Mobility Scheme applicants and under 18s)."

[Goenitz]

Hi Guys,

I have checked the calendar not thoroughly though. There is no more talk on the IHS increase before winter break.

I hope the fee will not increase till 16th January.

https://whatson.parliament.uk/lords/2023-12-12/

[Goenitz]

so far, the status of this bill
https://statutoryinstruments.parliament ... e/7Up5lZZt

[secret.simon]

Thank you for quoting me on Statutory Instruments from another thread.

I'll just quickly clarify that this Statutory Instrument (SI), increasing the Immigration Health Surcharge, is an affirmative SI, which means that it does need to be approved by both Houses of Parliament. However, as with negative SIs, the approval is normally a formality. The debates on them generally take place in Committee (the Grand Committee in the Lords and a Delegated Legislation Committee (DLC) in the Commons). After the debates, the SIs are normally approved formally by the two Houses without a vote. Unlike a Bill, which can have multiple votes and amendments, SIs are an up-or-down (approve or reject) vote.

Once the draft Affirmative SI is approved by both Houses, it is then made (the actual SI signed and issued) by the relevant minister.

As can be seen from the previous post, this particular draft SI is due for debate in front of a DLC on 10th January. That would mean that the formal approval would be a a day or two later.

The draft SI states that it will come into force "on the later of 16th January 2024 or the twenty-first day after the day on which it is made.". Assuming that it is approved on 11th or 12th January, after the debate on the 10th, it will likely be made on the 12th or 13th January, which will mean that the increase in the IHS will not come into effect till the first week of February.

[Goenitz]

Thank you for the clarification. I was hoping for that.