TB, HEPATITIS & AIDS CHECKS ON IMMIGRANTS
(14 February 2005)

A practical system of medical checks for people coming to live and work in Britain have been proposed by the Conservatives in a bid to reduce health risks in the UK and safeguard access to the NHS. New moves to adopt schemes already proving their worth in countries like Canada, New Zealand and Australia, have been unveiled by Party Leader Michael Howard. Labour quickly dismissed this strategy and alleged that the Conservatives are "desperately flailing around on immigration because they have failed to make any sort of headway".

He said: "The British people deserve the best standards of public health. We need to control who is coming to Britain to ensure that they are not a public health risk and to protect access to the NHS. It's plain common sense. And it's exactly what they do in New Zealand, Canada and Australia.

"At the next election people will face a clear choice: limited and controlled immigration under the Conservatives or unlimited immigration under Mr Blair."

Under the new proposals to be introduced when the Conservatives return to power, people coming to Britain on a temporary basis for less than six months would not be required to undergo a medical test unless they intend to work in health care, childcare or teaching. But those coming from outside the EU on a temporary basis for over six months but less than 12 months from a high incidence TB country would be required to undergo a chest X-ray followed up by tests if necessary.

People coming to settle in Britain permanently from outside the EU would have to demonstrate that they have an acceptable standard of health and that they are unlikely to be a danger to public health in the UK; and unlikely to impose significant costs or demands on Britain's health system; and are able to undertake the work or study they have applied for.

The proposed medical examination would include an overall health check-up, chest X-rays for TB (except for children and pregnant women) and tests for hepatitis and HIV (for those over 16 years old). Only TB will automatically preclude the grant of a visa. All other conditions will be dealt with on a case by case basis to consider what costs if any they will impose on the NHS.

The proposals will not affect asylum applicants' claims. Refugees are currently offered health checks paid for by the British Government. Under the Conservatives, all genuine refugees taken from the UNHCR would undergo health checks to ensure that they receive any necessary medical treatment and do not spread infectious diseases on arrival.

DESPERATE TORIES 'FLAILING AROUND' ON IMMIGRATION

Alan Milburn MP, Labour’s General Election Co-ordinator today said: "Michael Howard’s Conservatives are becoming increasingly desperate to talk about anything but the economy and their record in government. Today’s ‘announcement’ is a reheat of Tory policy from two years ago. Three weeks ago at their immigration and asylum policy launch, health screening was such an urgent issue it didn’t even warrant a mention.

"The Tories are flailing around because they have failed to make any sort of headway. Rather than simply talking tough the government is dealing with the issue. Our five year plan puts in place strict controls that work to combat asylum abuse and illegal immigration.

"The five year plan also makes clear our approach is that, as part of the visa application process, it will be necessary for people from the countries with the highest risk of tuberculosis to undergo screening to prove they are clear of TB, otherwise they will be refused permission to travel to the United Kingdom until clear of the disease.

"The Tories’ tough talk on immigration and asylum is fatally undermined by their plans to halve the budget for immigration control and their refusal to support ID cards that stop ‘health tourism’. These Tory cuts make a mockery of their pronouncements. No-one believes Britain’s borders can be protected by cutting spending on protecting them by £896 million.”

Further evidence of the Tories’ desperate flailing around on immigration and asylum came to light when it emerged today that Andrew Lansley, the Conservative Shadow Secretary of State for Health described these proposals as “unethical” and “unnecessary”.

Top