Stakeholders are accusing the government of treating migrants to the UK, including international students, as “cash cows” amid lofty health surcharge fee increases and the promise of visa fee rises.
Along with changes to foundation courses to cut down on “rip-off” programs, UK PM Rishi Sunak announced that migrant fees would be increased “significantly” to raise over £1 billion to fund public sector pay rises.
It comes after strikes have plagued the country for the last year, including by nurses, doctors and teachers.
Students wanting to study in the UK will be expected to pay a discounted NHS surcharge fee – or Immigration Health Surcharge – of £776 a year, instead of the previous discounted £470. The rise is equivalent to a 65% increase.
