Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment her Department has made of the potential effect of the proposed points-based immigration system on workforce levels in the (a) NHS, (b) the care sector and (c) hospitality sector.

The Government published “The UK’s Points-Based System: Policy Statement” on 19 February.

In delivering on its manifesto commitments for a new points-based system, the Government has considered relevant views, evidence, and analysis. We will keep labour market data under careful scrutiny and publish further detail in due course.

To further facilitate the migration of skilled workers to support the NHS, we will create a new NHS visa for certain medical professionals with a confirmed job offer supporting the NHS – reducing their visa fees and providing support to come to the UK with their families.

Skilled hospitality workers and senior care workers who meet the relevant criteria will be able to come to the UK through the points-based system.