RE: Monday 30th January 4:30 pm debate in Westminster Hall, second debating chamber “Reduce Indefinite leave to remain (ILR) fees from £2389 to £243 for healthcare professionals”
DAUK urges MPs to support debate to reduce fees for international medical graduates (IMGs)
Dear Member of Parliament,
Doctors’ Association UK would like to invite you to support the upcoming debate on the reduction of indefinite leave to remain fees for healthcare professionals.
Passing this motion is now more important than ever. The NHS is on its knees and a key cause of this is the retention and recruitment of staff. As the cost of living rises, a reduction in the fees would attract the best international staff to get our NHS back on its feet.
During the pandemic ILR should have been granted to all healthcare workers who made great sacrifices for the greater good of the country, but this was never brought to fruition. It is now time we show our gratitude as a nation and pay this debt back by reducing ILR fees. £2,400 is more than most healthcare workers make in a month and is an unjust amount to pay when we need to be rewarding and attracting staff. This unattainable fee pushes hard working overseas staff to seek opportunities away from the UK, we are damaging the morale of staff.
This is the time to speak up,
Attend the debate on our behalf on the 30th January 4:30pm
Dr Pushpo Hossain, IMG Lead: “The Overseas Healthcare staff applying for ILR in the next 5 years are those serving the UK during the worst healthcare crisis in modern history – they should not have to pay £2400 to be able to call the UK their home. Many IMGs report low morale and are considering opportunities abroad because these extortionate fees to have permanent residency in UK makes them feel undervalued and unwanted”
Miss Penelope Sucharitkul, Editorial Lead: “According to last year’s GMC annual workforce report our health services could not function without IMGs. However, the flow of IMGs into the workforce is unpredictable, with the data showing that IMGs leave the UK workforce at a higher rate.”
