Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Home Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Bambos Charalambous Excerpts
Monday 26th February 2018

(6 years, 2 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Caroline Nokes Portrait Caroline Nokes
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I reassure the hon. Gentleman that no medical professionals on the shortage occupation list have been refused a visa. It is important that we keep things under review and ensure that we recruit more doctors and nurses from within the UK, and my right hon. Friend the Health and Social Care Secretary is committed to ensuring that the number of training places for both nurses and doctors increases.

Bambos Charalambous Portrait Bambos Charalambous (Enfield, Southgate) (Lab)
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Is the Minister aware of the levels of staff and skills shortages in a series of economic sectors, including the NHS and social care? How does she see the impacts on these sectors if there are further restrictions on migration for such purposes?

Caroline Nokes Portrait Caroline Nokes
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Nurses are on the shortage occupation list, meaning that no nurse is turned away. The important thing is that we keep the matter under review and that we understand the situation through our work with the Migration Advisory Committee, which is looking at the pattern of EU work routes in this country, so that we come forward with an immigration policy that reflects the needs of our economy.