The financial reality for migrant workers

You're a high-skilled migrant worker and you've chosen to come work in London...

You're on ~£18,000, equivalent to a new nurse's salary (source). Unfortunately, you're not a nurse, because there are at least special dispensations for them (hard fought). Maybe you're a trainee criminal lawyer.

You pay your tax, and contribute ~16% of your pre-tax income. You're down to £15k.

You find the cheapest studio flat you can, out in Blackfen (source), costing you £7,080 a year.

After bills (internet, electricity, gas, transport) you've got £6k.

You need to pay for your visa, and the £400 NHS surcharge—16% of your remaining cash.

You've got £5k left. Maybe you can scrape by? It's not looking promising.

But then the government announces that the surcharge is going up again, removing another 4.5% of your remaining cash.

Oh, and the money isn't actually ring-fenced for the NHS.

You're now contributing 40%+ more to the state than your non-migrant counterparts.