Thread by @lewis_goodall, Lots of discussion about injustice for minorities- here's an issue which certainly [...]

Lots of discussion about injustice for minorities- here's an issue which certainly affects a lot of our minority workers. It's something I'm detecting increasing disquiet about in the Commons.

The free visa extension scheme still doesn't apply to all care workers and NHS staff.

This means that workers on the frontline, in care settings and low paid NHS staff, like porters and cleaners are continuing to have to pay for their visa extensions.

You'll remember the govt U-turned on a number of these issues last month...

After it was becoming clearer the govt might lose a vote on it, ministers decided to get rid of NHS surcharge for NHS workers and carers.

The bereavement scheme was also extended to all NHS/carers, irrespective of nationality

But the free visa extension only applies to frontline medical staff, doctors, nurses etc and not all care workers

The irony then, is that those carers and NHS staff on the lowest pay, are having to find these exorbitant sums

For example, I spoke today to Akeem, a care assistant. He came from Nigeria in 2015. He works at a home for disabled adults. His job is an assistant but his duties are exactly the same as a more senior carer. His employer has told him he isn't part of the exemption.

Ergo he's going to have to pay for his visa extension when it runs out in Sept. For the family, it will cost around £3000. As a caring assistant, on the Covid frontline, he earns £1500 a month. He's worried sick about finding the money. If he's a day late, he'll be told to leave.

Remember, workers like him, non-EU foreign nationals have no recourse to public funds, aren't eligible for benefits and the like. So the only resources they have are what they earn. Somehow, out of the £1500 a month, he has mouths to feed, a roof to pay for and the visa extension

All the while, he's working day in, day out (nights too and overtime) at a care home, on the covid front line

Ministers at the time said they wanted to extend visas, cost free for NHS staff and carers because they didn't want it hanging over them. It's def hanging over Akeem.

He won't be alone, 8% of our caring staff are non-EU nationals. They dominate in many NHS support staff roles, like porters, cleaners and the rest.

Akeem's story is not an unusual one.

There's a growing sense of disquiet about this across the House. @YvetteCooperMP has tabled an amendment to the Immigration and Social Security (EU Withdrawal Bill) that would expand the visa scheme. Has support of @carolinenokes , @timloughton, @Stuart_McDonald and others

There's no denying that a lot of those affected are (though not exclusively) BAME. Obviously in light of wider discussions, this is an added dimension to this issue.

I suspect it's an issue which will get more attention as the weeks go on.

It's absolutely true that the govt has already extended visas free of charge to 3000 frontline workers whose visas were due to expire between 31 March and 1 October. But there's still plenty of others out there in the same boat.

Home Office told me tonight: “We are incredibly grateful for all the hard work that health and care workers continue to do in the fight against coronavirus.

“Right across the immigration system we are supporting NHS and other eligible health and care workers...

"We are introducing a free one-year visa extension to approximately 3,000 key frontline health workers including an exemption to the immigration health surcharge and have expanded the bereavement scheme to all NHS and social care workers.”

More on this on tonight's #Newsnight- get BBC2 on!

Latest Threads Unrolled: