THE government has made a U-turn on the surcharge for migrant workers in the NHS.

The charge for foreign workers in the health service and care sector - £400 for non-EU migrants and set to rise to £624 by October - were ditched just one day after Prime Minister Boris Johnson defended the levy in Parliament.

The move was viewed by some commentators as a minor victory for the Leader of the Opposition, Keir Starmer.

Mr Starmer pressed Boris Johnson on the charge during last week’s Prime Minister’s Questions.

But the MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, Tim Farron, has also welcomed the decision.

The South Lakes MP also made a broader point about immigration in his short statement. He has said the government's post-Brexit immigration plans would devastate south Cumbria.

Commenting on the government's surcharge announcement last week, Mr Farron said: “This is extremely welcome news.

“It’s now time we say a proper thank you to all those overseas workers in NHS and social care by granting them indefinite leave to remain.

"If you are putting your life on the line for our country, then you should be allowed to stay here - it’s as simple as that.”