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NEW: Conservative MP Tim Loughton tells me there's growing support on Tory backbenches for govt to give carers free visas, as they've done for doctors: "For goodness sake let’s make sure their position is safe for the foreseeable future so they can go on doing that crucial job." https://twitter.com/lewis_goodall/status/1271553353827450880
I've spent the day talking to NHS support staff and carers who are not covered by the govt's free visa extension scheme
They're struggling to get the money together to pay for their fees, with stress of the front line
Below are some of their experiences
They're struggling to get the money together to pay for their fees, with stress of the front line
Below are some of their experiences
A quick recap:
On 31st March Priti Patel announces visa extension scheme for doctors, nurses and paramedics. The extension will be for a year
On 31st March Priti Patel announces visa extension scheme for doctors, nurses and paramedics. The extension will be for a year
Later the Home Office produced a list of 18 professions which will will get free visa
Radiographers, midwives, biological scientists, podiatrists, biochemists, paramedics, speech and language therapists are included
NHS support staff and carers are not included
Radiographers, midwives, biological scientists, podiatrists, biochemists, paramedics, speech and language therapists are included
NHS support staff and carers are not included
The extension was predicated partly on the very reasonable idea that it is unjust to ask medical and care workers to pay a small fortune (up to £5,632 for a family of four) to pay for the privilege of helping save our lives in a national crisis, whilst risking theirs
But that hasn't been extended to social carers or NHS support staff, despite the fact that of course, using that criteria, they would qualify. A carer providing intimate care (washing, toileting, cleaning) is at much higher risk of exposure than a radiographer.
And of course, carers and support staff earn much less than their doctor or nurse colleagues.
Yesterday I spoke to Arun, he's a nursing assistant at St Barts
He works with covid patients. He's lived apart from his wife and child because he's worried about their health
Yesterday I spoke to Arun, he's a nursing assistant at St Barts
He works with covid patients. He's lived apart from his wife and child because he's worried about their health
He's being asked to find north of £5000 for his visa extension. He earns £1500 a month.
Of course he and others in his position already pay taxes and cannot access benefits or public funds- he says alongside his rent and bills it's almost impossible to save on his salary.
Of course he and others in his position already pay taxes and cannot access benefits or public funds- he says alongside his rent and bills it's almost impossible to save on his salary.
