Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to waive the payment of any immigration surcharge for medical personnel employed by the NHS who are not from the UK.

The Government fully recognises the contribution that international professionals make to the United Kingdom and we remain committed to ensuring that this country still attracts highly skilled people to work here, including for the National Health Service. Many employers in the NHS already cover the cost of the Immigration Health Surcharge in full or as a loan to overseas recruits. The Government is working with NHS England and NHS Improvement to ensure international recruitment best practice is spread throughout the NHS. In addition, we have set out plans to introduce a new NHS visa, which will offer an attractive package for NHS staff. The details of the NHS visa will be announced in due course by the Home Secretary.