Indians, non-Europeans to pay 'migrant tax' in Britain

Foreign workers and students from India and other non-European countries, arriving in Britain, will have to pay 50 pounds as "migrant tax" to help ease their impact on the public services.

Foreign workers and students from India and other non-European countries, arriving in Britain, will have to pay 50 pounds as "migrant tax" to help ease their impact on the public services.

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The new tax, to be announced this week, will be levied on the thousands of immigrants from non-EU states applying for work or study visas.

It is expected to raise 70 million pounds over the next few years, with the funds ear-marked for councils struggling to cope with the impact of mass immigrant on services such as doctors' surgeries and schools.

According to Hazel Blears, the Communities Secretary, "the fund will pay for the public services in the areas where migration has an impact on our local communities."

Details of the fund will be outlined this week, as part of a wider shake-up of the points-based immigration system, which is supposed to keep out foreigners who would make little contribution to the economy.