Today’s Home Office and Government Equalities Office related coverage includes changes to the immigration health surcharge and a report published by the Institute of Financial Studies on wage progression.
Immigration Health Surcharge
Outlets including the Guardian, Telegraph, Mail, Times and Sun report on changes to the immigration health surcharge. The coverage notes that the Government plans to double the immigration health surcharge paid by temporary migrants to the UK in order to better reflect the actual costs to the NHS of treating those who pay the surcharge.
The charge will rise from £200 to £400 per year, with the discounted rate for students and those on the Youth Mobility Scheme increasing from £150 to £300.
Comments from the Immigration Minister and Health Minister can be found below.
Immigration Minister Caroline Nokes said:
It is only right that people who come to the UK should contribute to the running of the NHS. The surcharge offers access to health care services that are far more comprehensive and at a much lower cost than many other countries.
The income generated goes directly to NHS services, helping to protect and sustain our world-class healthcare system for everyone who uses it.
Health Minister James O'Shaughnessy said:
Our NHS is always there when you need it, paid for by British taxpayers. We welcome long-term migrants using the NHS, but it is only right that they make a fair contribution to its long term sustainability.
By increasing the surcharge so that it better reflects the actual costs of using health services, this Government is providing an extra £220 million a year to support the NHS.
Pay progression report
The Today Programme, Financial Times, Guardian, BBC and Sun carry articles on a report by the Institute of Fiscal Study (IFS). The report says that part time workers do not tend to move up the pay scale and that mothers are being hit by a "pay penalty" because they are more likely to work part time.
The coverage carries comments from Associate Director of the IFS Monica Costa Dias, who said that it should be a “priority” for the Government to understand the issue.
A Government response can be found below.
A Government spokesperson said:
Action taken by this Government means that we are one of the first countries in the world to require all large employers to publish their gender pay gap and bonus data. This is not an option, it is the law.
Through our modern Industrial Strategy we want to ensure the economy truly works for everyone which is why we committed to promoting fair and decent work for all and are working with businesses to make flexible working a reality for all employees across Britain.