Crawley MP, Henry Smith, has today welcomed the Home Secretary’s Immigration Bill announcement. Contained within the proposed legislation are measures outlined by Henry’s Private Members’ Bill last year aimed at tackling ‘health tourism'.

Commenting earlier today, Henry said:

“The measures outlined in my Private Members’ Bill last year were aimed at ensuring the cost of treating foreign patients on the NHS are properly recovered.

“Having met on a number of occasions with the Health Secretary and Home Secretary, I was assured that this Government was going to tackle the abuse of our National Health Service by some visitors from abroad.

“The precise cost to the British taxpayer cannot be determined because, as demonstrated through my own research via Freedom of Informational requests sent to all NHS health trusts last year, the vast majority to primary and secondary health facilities do not record such information.  However, estimates from the Department of Health suggest that a failure to currently audit the cost of overseas visitors seeking treatment on the NHS equates to at least £200 million.

“Attempts by some Labour Shadow Ministers to label the Bill ‘Xenophobic’ is frankly crass and out-of-touch - today’s announcement will ensure that hundreds of millions of taxpayers’ pounds lost through outstanding debts will be returned and re-invested towards ensuring a better quality of health service for British patients.”

The Home Secretary, Rt Hon Theresa May MP, today commented:

“People who use the NHS should be making some form of contribution, I think most people will recognise that as being fair.

“I don't think illegal immigrants should be able to open bank accounts or have access to a driving licence.

“The Immigration Bill will make it much harder for people who are here illegally to stay here.”

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