British workers face thousands of pounds in course fees, while foreign nationals awaiting asylum claims can access fully-funded trade qualifications.
British workers face thousands of pounds in course fees, while foreign nationals awaiting asylum claims can access fully-funded trade qualifications (Image: Getty)
A British worker has slammed the “backwards” system after discovering asylum seekers and refugees can access fully-funded plumbing qualifications, while hard-working UK citizens face costs of up to £6,000 to train. The disparity has sparked anger online, highlighting strict funding rules that offer full fee remission to foreign nationals who have resided in the UK for just six months while awaiting a decision on their asylum claim.
Meanwhile, British citizens over the age of 23 who wish to switch careers or progress past basic introductory courses often have to foot the heavy bill themselves. The backlash erupted after a 27-year-old British production operative shared his frustration on social media over the massive financial barriers preventing him from advancing in the trade. “Why is a Level 2 and 3 plumbing course free in the UK for an asylum seeker and some migrants, but not for me, who is English and born here?” wrote Joel, posting on X (formerly Twitter) under the handle @JGWorldThoughts.
Under the UK’s ASF, asylum seekers residing in the country for at least six months while awaiting a Home Office decision can access fully funded plumbing training (Image: Getty)
“I am a 27-year-old British bloke who already has Level 1 plumbing and just wants to finish Levels 2 and 3 so I can work the trade and leave my Production Operative role for a real career. Cost to me: £4,000–£6,000.
“The same courses are free if you have refugee status here, free for an asylum seeker who has been here 6 months waiting on a decision, or refused and appealing for 6 months. Also free immediately for several other statuses and if you are on a low income it seems. Why is this country backwards?”
Under the UK’s Adult Skills Fund (ASF) – and even faster in devolved areas like London – asylum seekers residing in the country for at least six months while awaiting a Home Office decision can access fully funded plumbing training.
Under the UK’s adult education framework, the plumbing pathway spans three key tiers. The introductory Level 1 Diploma covers basic tools, pipe bending, and safety, and is fully funded for eligible asylum seekers through local colleges. The Level 2 Diploma covers core pipework and domestic systems and is state-funded for asylum seekers, while British citizens typically qualify only if they are low-income or under 24. Finally, the advanced Level 3 Diploma covers central heating and gas alignment, which is also fully funded for asylum seekers who have been in the UK for six months.
While asylum seekers can attend classes and complete workshop-based technical diplomas free of charge, they hit a roadblock when trying to enter the industry. To become a fully recognised, unsupervised plumber, trainees must complete an NVQ Level 2 or Level 3 (Work-Based), which requires real-world experience on an active site. However, individuals seeking asylum generally do not have the right to work in the UK unless their trade is listed on the UK Shortage Occupation List or they receive specific permission after waiting 12 months for a decision.
Andy Burnham plotting new holiday tax raid – £3k per family
The Labour Government could tax families thousands.
Andy Burnham could tax families thousands for holidays (Image: Getty)
The Labour Government is considering plans for a tax raid on holiday cottages. John Healey is considering taxing holiday lets as second homes rather than as businesses in his maiden Autumn Budget on October 28.
It will add thousands of pounds to the cost of running them, with Alistair Handyside, chairman of the Professional Association of Self-Caterers, saying it could add between £1,000 and £3,000.
It could also have a knock-on effect on businesses around holiday lets, such as local pubs, restaurants, independent shops, and other tourism-related companies. This could mean Brits see increased prices or limited availability.
Richard Fuller, the shadow chief secretary to the Treasury, said: “Labour has launched a £9bn business rates raid, compounding the damage done by its jobs tax and employer red tape.
John Healey will give his Autumn Budget on October 28 (Image: Getty)
“Now it is looking for ways to pull more and more people into scope for its crippling taxes, including with a holiday cottage tax. Labour should focus less on squeezing taxpayers dry and more on cutting the welfare bill so we can cut taxes and grow our economy.”
James Murray, a junior Treasury minister, confirmed in a written parliamentary answer that his department was reviewing “the tax treatment of short-term lets, such as self-catering accommodation”.
He said “concerns have been raised” about second-home owners using small business rates relief to manage tax liabilities. The shake-up could mean that all self-catered accommodation is subject to council tax rather than business rates.
Alistair Handyside, chairman of the Professional Association of Self-Caterers, said: “The average self-catering business owns 1.2 properties and it is usually a second income, often run by working mothers or retired people, who have already been hit by 25 Government interventions in the past four years.
“The self-catering sector is already declining, and a lot of people will decide it’s just not worth it any more. I can tell you that the Government already takes more money out of my business every year than my wife and I do.
“What the Government doesn’t realise is that holiday lets provide the bed space for people visiting areas that don’t have the hotel spaces that London and big cities have.
“If the bed spaces decline, so does the local economy, because pubs, restaurants, butchers, all sorts of businesses only stay in profit because of the annual influx of tourists.
“So I would just say to the Government, be careful what you wish for.”
A Treasury spokesman said: “The Chancellor is fully focused on his priorities, to give families and businesses a bit of breathing space, back British jobs, and drive growth in every postcode, underpinned by a commitment to meet the fiscal rules.
“As has always been the case, decisions on tax are a matter for the Chancellor to set out at fiscal events, rather than routinely commenting on rumour, speculation or proposals.”