The recent announcement by the government regarding wage increases for public sector workers has both positive and negative implications. While it is a step in the right direction for teachers, police officers, and doctors who have experienced a decline in real pay over the past decade, there is concern that these raises may be funded through cuts to public services. Additionally, the government plans to partially fund these increases through significant hikes in fees for migrant workers.
One example of this is the immigrant NHS surcharge, which will now increase by over £400 to just over £1,000 per person per year. Immigration and nationality fees will also see a 15% to 20% increase. As a result, a family of four moving to the UK will face fees of at least £33,000 over five years to settle permanently, a significantly higher amount compared to other European countries and the United States. These inflated charges will have a particularly adverse impact on workers who are accompanied by their family members.
The consequences of these measures will include increased hardship for migrant workers and a potential decrease in the number of individuals who can afford to come and work in the UK. This is contradictory to the government’s stance on immigration. Despite expressing a desire to reduce net migration levels, the government has overseen a significant liberalization of the non-EU immigration system to fill skills gaps, especially in the NHS and care sector. This inconsistency raises questions about the government’s true position on immigration.
Furthermore, the government’s approach towards refugees is deeply troubling. By labeling individuals fleeing countries like Syria and Afghanistan as “illegal migrants” if they claim asylum through irregular routes, the government portrays an inaccurate picture of the situation. The United Kingdom is home to only a small fraction of the world’s refugees, with the majority residing in low- and middle-income countries. The UK receives fewer asylum applications per capita compared to the EU average. The biggest issues in the asylum system are the dangerous Channel crossings and the prolonged delays in processing asylum claims, causing additional burdens on taxpayers and leaving traumatized individuals in poverty.
Instead of addressing these pressing issues, the government has focused its efforts on deterring individuals from claiming asylum in the UK. Their proposed legislation gives them extensive powers to detain almost all asylum seekers upon arrival and deport them to a potentially “safe” third country, despite the absence of any formal agreements. This strategy is not only unethical but also impractical, as it would necessitate the detention of tens of thousands of asylum seekers. The Home Office’s own analysis indicates that these deterrent effects are unlikely to materialize, as asylum seekers often lack awareness of the differences in asylum policies among countries.
The government’s approach to immigration and asylum reflects a performative cruelty that serves no genuine purpose. It is a substitution of unkindness towards individuals from other parts of the world for effective governance. The true victims of these policies are those fleeing conflict and torture, who deserve compassion and kindness above all else.
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