THE CHANCELLOR today raised charges on immigrants using the NHS by a third to raise £1.5billion.
Rishi Sunak announced the huge raise as he delivered his budget just 27 days after replacing Sajid Javid.
The plans will see immigrants who want to use the NHS forced to pay big fees to support a “thriving NHS“.
He said: “Migrants benefit from our NHS. And we all want them to do so – but it’s right that what people get out, they also put in.
“There is a surcharge already, but it doesn’t properly reflect the benefits people receive.
“So, as we promised in our manifesto, we are increasing the Immigration Health Surcharge to £624, with a discounted rate for children.
“We all benefit from a thriving health service – so it is right that we ask everyone to contribute.”
A single person will now face a £624 yearly fee, while a child will pay £470.
This is a huge raise, with it previously costing £400 for adults and £300 for children and young people.
For EU migrants the cost was free.
Treasury officials estimate the charge will raise £1.5billion by 2025.
The policy was bashed by opposition MPs, who said it would cut immigration and leave the NHS with staff shortages.
Labour MP Seema Malhotra said: “It is frankly counterproductive that the government is raising the immigration health surcharge at a time when we need more immigrants and skilled workers to meet the shortages in our labour market and our NHS.”
Lib Dem leadership contender Layla Moran tweeted: “Tories are increasing the immigration health surcharge.
“So migrant workers who we desperately need to staff vital services pay more even though they contribute on average more to the economy. Shameful.”
