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Written question asked by Lord Dholakia (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 14 March 2016, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 30 March 2016. It was answered by Lord Bates (Conservative) on Monday, 21 March 2016 on behalf of the Home Office.

Immigration: India

Question

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of whether (1) an exemption from the Resident Labour Market Test when switching from Tier 4 to a Tier 2 visa, (2) an increase in the minimum salary threshold from £20,000 to £30,000, and (3) the proposed immigration skills charge, would adversely affect medical trainees and doctors coming from India to the UK.

Answer

The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) is an independent body and its recommendations are not a statement of Government policy. We thank the MAC for their report and we are currently considering the findings carefully. We will announce our response in due course.

Doctors from overseas make a valuable contribution to the running of our NHS and we will consider the potential impacts on them in making our decisions. The Minister for Immigration met the Indian Minister of State for External Affairs and the Minister of State for Home Affairs during a visit to India in February and had wide ranging and constructive talks, including discussion of the MAC’s report on Tier 2.

The Government fully respects the UK’s international commitments and remains strongly committed to the free trade agenda. The UK immigration system continues to support inward investment and trade.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL6988
Session
2015-16
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Doctors Fees and charges Immigration India Pay Medicine Overseas students Migrant workers Visas
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk