UK set to increase fees for migrants' visa applications, health services

By Aysu Bicer

LONDON (AA) – The British government is set to hike fees for migrants' visa applications and national health services that will "significantly" help fund public sector pay rises.

"The first is we’re going to increase the charges that we have for migrants who are coming to this country when they apply for visas," UK's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak told a press conference in London on Thursday.

"And indeed, something called the immigration health surcharge, which is the levy that they pay to access the NHS. So all of those fees are going to go up and that will raise over a billion pounds," he added.

Meanwhile, Sunak has called upon unions to halt their ongoing and planned industrial actions as he thinks he found "a fair deal" for workers.

"I just announced a fair way to end the strikes – and already all teaching unions are backing it. It’s a fair deal for workers. And a fair deal for the British taxpayer. This is a major breakthrough for parents and families across the country," he said on Twitter.

Under the deal, police officers will get a 7% pay rise in 2023-24, teachers 6.5%, senior NHS staff 6%, junior doctors 6% plus a one-off payment, and armed forces personnel 5% plus a one-off payment.

The country's inflation rate is at 8.7%, well above the Bank of England's 2% target.

"Today’s offer is final. There will be no more talks on pay. We will not negotiate again on this year’s settlements and no amount of strikes will change our decision," the premier said.

"It is now clear momentum across our public services is shifting. The vast majority who just want to get on with their life’s calling of serving others are now returning to work," he added.

The UK government has been hit by massive walkouts from almost all sectors due to the fallout of the Ukraine war, Brexit, and a spiraling cost-of-living crisis, according to multiple reports by unions, universities, and think tanks.