Figures shared with Brighton Pavilion MP Caroline Lucas by Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals suggest up to 75 per cent of their current vacancies could be affected by the Government’s plans for a £30,000 income threshold for new migrants after Brexit.

Ministers today revealed a white paper on immigration, which includes plans consult on a minimum salary requirement of £30,000 for skilled migrants seeking five-year visas. The paper fails to make clear whether vital roles like junior doctors and nurses – who often start on salaries below £30,000 – would be exempt from the scheme.

Green Party MP for Brighton Pavilion, Caroline Lucas, said: "Confronted with negative headlines, Theresa May has a habit of diverting attention by pointing the finger at migrants.

“But far from doing anything to address people's genuine concerns about pressure on public services, the Government's plans could cripple our NHS. 

“These deeply worrying figures suggest that if white paper's arbitrary £30,000 income threshold is applied across the board, it could plunge Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals into a severe staffing crisis. Without enough doctors, nurses and support staff, hospitals simply can't function – and patients could be put at risk.

“The Government must provide an urgent and explicit guarantee that NHS vacancies will not be subject to this potentially dangerous threshold.”

Figures from Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals

Please note that this assumes: 

1. Staff will come in at the lowest point in the Band when they joined.
2. It come into effect from 01/04/19, as at this point the Band 6 entry point moves from just under £30k to just over £30k.

In summary around 75% of total vacancies would be potentially impacted by the change.