Piers Morgan blasts Boris Johnson for raising ‘tax’ on NHS workers who saved his life

Piers Morgan directed his ire at Boris Johnson today after the announcement that the government is to raise the ‘tax’ on foreign NHS workers.

The immigration healthcare surcharge - an fee paid in addition to national insurance and tax - is due to increase from £400 to £624 from this October.

This is paid by anyone applying for immigration permission to enter or remain in the UK, allowing them to use NHS services including emergency health care and hospital treatment.

During Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, the Prime Minister announced that foreign NHS workers - including those who may have helped save his life - should still continue to pay the surcharge.

Piers Morgan blasts Boris Johnson for raising 'tax' on the NHS workers who saved his life (ITV)

Piers fumed: “It’s completely outrageous. Everybody knows it’s outrageous.

“For Boris Johnson to stand there and say, yes I know I have been praising the NHS for weeks and they saved my life, but do you know what? I am going to sting them, because we need their cash. People earning £20,000 a year, we’re gonna squeeze them. Thanks, Boris.

“Will you be out clapping tonight, Boris? Outside Number 10, doing your big clap for the NHS workers? The ones you’re going to be stinging for £624 a year? On top of their taxes and national insurance? Really Boris? You’re going to do that tonight?

Piers Morgan blasts Boris Johnson for raising 'tax' on the NHS workers who saved his life (ITV)

“Thanks so much, here’s your reward. I’m going to punish you financially, because I need your money.”

During a discussion with Ranvir Singh, Piers accused Mr Johnson of “clearly trying to still play to their base of those Brexit voters, many of whom thought immigration was a big problem in this country”.

The issue was also raised during an interview with Ann Widdecombe.

Piers pointed out that the overseas health care workers being taxed are putting their lives at risk daily, saying: “181 NHS workers have lost their lives from COVID-19 - with the majority of whom are migrant workers.”

The former Conservative MP said that the money raised from the surcharge - £900 million a year - is "ringfenced for the NHS" and added that it is being kept under review.

Good Morning Britain airs weekdays at 6am on ITV.