Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps the Government is taking to ensure that the immigration system enables the movement of highly-skilled individuals into the NHS and those working in cancer research after the UK leaves the EU.

In December 2018, the Government set out its proposals in “the UK’s future Skills-based Immigration System” White Paper. The White Paper proposals include a new route for skilled workers which will be open to anyone at RQF level 3 and above, irrespective of where they are applying from. This route will not be capped allowing all of those who meet our requirements to come to the UK.

The White Paper also includes a transitional route for temporary workers which will be open to anyone from qualifying countries, wishing to fill posi-tions at any skill level, for up to 12 months. We do not intend to impose a cap on the number of people wishing to use the route.

The White Paper is the start of a new conversation and we have launched a year-long engagement programme to take the views of a range of stake-holders across the UK, including the health and social care sector.

We are determined to ensure that the future immigration system is efficient and able to respond to users’ needs.