AM slams entry salary threshold

A RHYL politician has slammed a controversial immigration bill for its treatment of frontline care workers as "unskilled" labour.

Ann Jones, the Vale of Clwyd’s Member of the Welsh Parliament, has dubbed initial support of a bill that increases the salary threshold of workers £25,600 as "disgraceful".

As reported in national media, Home Secretary Priti Patel has said the government aims to foster a "high skill" economy

However, Mrs Jones, has hit out labelling foreign workers in the NHS and care sector - as well as retail workers, delivery drivers and other essential staff - as "unskilled" as "rank hypocrisy" at the same time the nation gathers every Thursday tog 'Clap for Carers'.

Mrs Jones Jones, said: “Throughout the Coronavirus pandemic we’ve all relied upon NHS staff, carers and other key workers who the Conservative government do not consider as skilled workers.

“The Immigration Bill disgracefully seeks to label people earning under £25,600 a year as unskilled.

"These are the very people who have kept our country running during the Coronavirus pandemic."

The House of Commons approved the general principles of the law by 351 votes to 252 on Monday, May 18 before it goes on to receive further scrutiny.