Britain’s oldest medical union has criticized government plans to increase the amount foreign workers pay to use the public health system to cover public sector wage rises.

Doctors in Unite, which represents junior doctors, general practitioners and hospital consultants, said in a statement on Saturday that it was “surprised” by the move, as it would allow migrants will have to pay double to use the National Health Service (NHS).

Prime Minister Rishi Sonik’s government this week approved recommendations to increase the salaries of teachers, doctors and police by between five and seven percent.

Rishi Sonik rejected proposals to raise taxes or borrow money to pay for the pay rise, but said that ‘increases in the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) and visa fees would raise £1 billion in revenue.’

National Insurance is deducted from most employees’ salaries in the UK, which pays for the National Health Service as well as state pension and unemployment schemes.

Like other workers, migrants contribute to the funding of the NHS through general taxation.

According to Doctors in Unite, ‘raising the NHS surcharge to more than £1,200 a year is an unfair extra penalty.’

The organization termed the government’s move as ‘immoral and unfair’, saying that ‘immigrants are ‘taxed twice’ to get the same service.’

The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), initially introduced to curb ‘medical tourism’, is now paid by most migrants under stricter post-Brexit entry rules.

A person staying for more than six months has to pay a fee in addition to the visa fee.

Over-18s pay £624 a year, while students and under-18s pay £470 a year.

The government has proposed increasing the Immigration Health Surcharge for older people to £1,350 and £776.

A person staying for more than six months has to pay this in addition to the visa fee.

Over-18s pay £624 a year, while students and under-18s pay £470 a year.

The government has proposed increasing the Immigration Health Surcharge for older people to £1,350 and £776.

Fees for work and visit visas will be increased by 15%, while student and leave-to-remain visas will increase by 15%. (Leave-to-remain) The visa fee will be increased by at least 20%.