United Kingdom's proposed levy on overseas workers sparks health and education sector concerns

Reform UK, the party founded by Nigel Farage, has announced plans for an annual levy on employers who hire staff without a UK passport. The proposal would apply to all sectors, including the NHS and education, and is intended to encourage organisations to employ British workers. Health think‑tank the King’s Fund warned the levy could add costs to an already stretched NHS, while the Royal College of General Practitioners warned it might reduce access to care. Critics say the measure could worsen staff shortages in schools and push some universities toward financial difficulty.

Separately, former justice minister Sir David Gauke called for any immigration levies collected from employers to be reinvested in domestic workforce training while maintaining a selective policy that continues to attract high‑skill migrants. He argued that channeling levy revenue into training would reduce long‑term reliance on overseas labour without deterring the skilled professionals needed for economic growth.