Former Health Secretary Steve Barclay has expressed outrage over NHS schemes that give “asylum seekers” priority access to healthcare, claiming it puts migrants ahead of British taxpayers.
One initiative, “987 Inclusion Health,” allows certain groups, including undocumented migrants, to access healthcare at the level of A&E services without the usual wait times. Similar programs are available across the country, offering homeless people, drug users, and refused asylum seekers access to GPs, dental care, and walk-in services.
In England, while A&E visits are free, other hospital treatments require payment at 150% of the standard NHS rate. However, exceptions are made for those unable to return to their home countries or who receive local authority support due to homelessness or disability.
Critics like Barclay argue these schemes prioritize people in the UK illegally over taxpayers. He told The Telegraph: “It is outrageous that those here illegally are prioritised over British taxpayers. The NHS is becoming an international service, not a national one.”
Supporters, including Enver Solomon of the Refugee Council, argue these services are essential to ensure vulnerable people, such as asylum seekers, can access necessary healthcare. Many NHS staff themselves come from migrant or refugee backgrounds.
Reform UK leaders Nigel Farage and Richard Tice criticized the programs, calling them unfair to British citizens waiting for treatment. Farage stated, “Welcome to Keir Starmer’s Britain,” while Tice called the situation a “mockery” of taxpayers and promised stricter policies under his party’s leadership.
The Department of Health and Social Care defended the schemes, stating it is a legal requirement to provide healthcare to vulnerable groups and emphasized the government’s investment of £26 billion to improve the NHS for all.
