The NHS & Public Services
The claim
"Migrants are a burden on the NHS and public services."
The headline facts
- 1 in 5 (21%) NHS England staff are non-British — around 325,000 people
- 36% of NHS doctors and 30% of nurses report a non-British nationality
- 42% of licensed doctors in the UK qualified abroad
Graphic idea: "1 in 5 NHS staff are migrants" pictogram. Replace with your finished graphic.
The full picture
Far from draining the NHS, migrants run much of it. Around 325,000 out of 1.5 million NHS England staff reported a non-British nationality in June 2025, up from around 305,000 a year earlier — about one in five of all NHS staff.
The proportion is even higher for clinical staff: 36% of doctors and 30% of nurses report a non-British nationality. According to the General Medical Council, approximately 42% of licensed doctors qualified abroad. NHS staff hold over 200 different nationalities between them.
Graphic idea: a "Who treats you?" infographic — 42% of doctors trained abroad. Replace with your finished graphic.
The NHS was built on migration and continues to depend on it. Successive governments — of all parties — have actively recruited from abroad to fill staffing gaps. Without migrant workers, the NHS would face an immediate and severe staffing crisis.
Graphic idea: standout stat card — "Over 200 nationalities keep the NHS running." Replace with your finished graphic.