§ Keith VazTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reason he is planning to levy a surcharge on those coming to the UK(a) for higher education and (b) to take up employment; what windfall gain this charge is intended to engender; and what his Department means by the term over-cost. [148161]
§ Beverley HughesThe Asylum and Immigration Bill includes an enabling power to introduce an over-cost charge for non-asylum applications where there are existing powers to charge. We believe it is fair that people who want to come to the UK to study or take up employment should make a contribution in return for the benefits they receive. Final decisions about the level of any additional fees for different categories of applicant, 1275W and regarding the timing of their introduction, will be taken only after wide consultation with key stakeholders and other Government Departments.
The term over-cost refers to setting a fee at a rate that exceeds the administrative cost of determining or processing such an application.