Low-earning Australians to be kicked out of Britain under new visa rules

[whatmeworry]

Some bad news for Australians on low wages in the UK.

Australians working in Britain may not be able to stay there indefinitely if they are on a lower income, under new rules due to kick in this year.
The changes, which take effect from April, will mean non-European workers will have to earn at least £35,000 ($72,000) a year to be allowed to settle in the UK for longer than six years.

Low-earning Australians to be kicked out of Britain under new visa rules

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Some bad news for Australians on low wages in the UK.



Low-earning Australians to be kicked out of Britain under new visa rules

i suppose in a way that's not a bad thing. 35K used to be a very high salary 10-15 years ago, but not as much these days.

If you are planning to stay in the UK you probably should contribute to health care and infrastructure. One bout in hospital and if you're earning a low (minimum) wage you're starting to cost the taxpayer money. Plus you should be paying all sorts of other public services.

 

[whatmeworry]

The new rules are probably to target certain nationalities. Oh well at least I got a EU passport.

 

[alieninperth]

i suppose in a way that's not a bad thing. 35K used to be a very high salary 10-15 years ago, but not as much these days.

GBP35k is still a pretty decent wage IMO. The UK average is just a touch over GBP27,500 so this is over 25% above the national average. To apply the same criteria here you would have to earn over $100k. And lets not forget that there are not many teachers, nurses, police officers etc who earn over GBP35k in the UK. I suppose this is another way to make public services unworkable and therefore in need of a solution.

Getting a beer in Clapham just got a lot harder, but on the upside, rents will go down.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

GBP35k is still a pretty decent wage IMO. The UK average is just a touch over GBP27,500 so this is over 25% above the national average. To apply the same criteria here you would have to earn over $100k. And lets not forget that there are not many teachers, nurses, police officers etc who earn over GBP35k in the UK. I suppose this is another way to make public services unworkable and therefore in need of a solution.

Getting a beer in Clapham just got a lot harder, but on the upside, rents will go down.

There is supposedly an exemption to the 35K requirement for 'in demand' occupations. So would probably cover some of the essential services you mention (nurses perhaps?)

35K is a good wage, but if you are living in the UK for the main purpose of making money and enjoying the lifestyle (and it is pretty good with Europe on your doorstep and even New York 'for the weekend' entirely possible), perhaps it's not unreasonable that you should pay for the privilege.

Presumably once you get citizenship (which I thought was after 5 or 6 years anyway), the 35K requirement would go out the window?

 

[opusman]

Oh well at least I got a EU passport.

Won't help you much after Brexit!

 

[hedge]

As far as I read, it's not just Australians right?

 

[kelvedon]

As far as I read, it's not just Australians right?

Correct, it's all non EU citizens. They are not talking about the under 30s 2 year working holiday visa either.

 

[alieninperth]

There is supposedly an exemption to the 35K requirement for 'in demand' occupations. So would probably cover some of the essential services you mention (nurses perhaps?)

35K is a good wage, but if you are living in the UK for the main purpose of making money and enjoying the lifestyle (and it is pretty good with Europe on your doorstep and even New York 'for the weekend' entirely possible), perhaps it's not unreasonable that you should pay for the privilege.

Presumably once you get citizenship (which I thought was after 5 or 6 years anyway), the 35K requirement would go out the window?

I agree that they should pay, but isn't that what taxes are for? This plan just smacks of hamfisted social engineering.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I agree that they should pay, but isn't that what taxes are for? This plan just smacks of hamfisted social engineering.

Yes - that's what taxes/NI are for... but if you're earning a low wage, you're not contributing much. The more you earn the more you have to spend in terms of contributing to the economy... and tax!

 

[openseat]

If Boris' plan comes into action, this could be changed.

 

[opusman]

If Boris' plan comes into action, this could be changed.

Boris's plan to become PM you mean?

 

[kelvedon]

I think openseat​ was referring to Boris's Australophilia.

Let Australians live and work in Britain: London mayor Boris Johnson backs migration report

 

[toowongman]

I agree that they should pay, but isn't that what taxes are for? This plan just smacks of hamfisted social engineering.

Yup, it's a way to start cleaning the population of "undesirables".

 

[whatmeworry]

Yup, it's a way to start cleaning the population of "undesirables".

Meanwhile the Russians and Saudi's remain.

 

[jb747]

I just thought it was part of a progressive plan to get rid of all but the upper class.

 

[opusman]

I just thought it was part of a progressive plan to get rid of all but the upper class.

I think that's more likely to be a conservative plan.

 

[Buzzard]

I think openseat​ was referring to Boris's Australophilia.

Let Australians live and work in Britain: London mayor Boris Johnson backs migration report

Yup, it's a way to start cleaning the population of "undesirables" .

By having them leave Australia

 

[Milefest]

Many nurses and teachers don't make that much, let alone those working part time.

 

[kelvedon]

Many nurses and teachers don't make that much, let alone those working part time.

They mentioned exclusions for some professions, presumably nurses and teachers etc