A government review has recommended that British workers should find it easier to bring their family members to the UK by adjusting the minimum income requirement for family visas. Presently, under the Conservative government led by Rishi Sunak, British citizens or residents must earn at least £29,000 annually to sponsor their partners for family visas. The government had considered increasing this threshold to £38,700, but opposition from Labour prompted a reassessment of these rules, which many have described as a financial burden on families.
The Migration Advisory Committee's report indicates that a more suitable minimum income requirement would fall between £23,000 and £25,000 a year, which could enable many full-time workers earning minimum wage to qualify for family sponsorship. While this figure is still an increase from the earlier threshold of £18,600, it represents a departure from the current requirement. The review predicts that reducing the salary threshold could increase net migration by approximately 8,000 individuals, accounting for about 1-3 percent of anticipated future migration.
Families affected, such as Rachel Roberts Dos Santos, who has been separated from her husband and stepdaughter due to income restrictions, see the proposed changes as a positive development. However, she expresses a desire for a system without any financial prerequisites for family reunification. Ms. Roberts Dos Santos recounted her struggles since 2019 to meet the income criteria required to bring her family together, noting the emotional toll of separation exacerbated by the pandemic. She is currently pursuing a career path that could help her meet the income threshold.
Additionally, the MAC has advised the Home Office to explore ways to consider job offers from partners applying to join their families in the UK. Caroline Coombs, co-founder of Reunite Families UK, acknowledged the MAC's suggestions but emphasized that any minimum income requirement remains an obstacle for many families yearning to be united. Meanwhile, Green MP Carla Denyer criticized the existing income requirements as a "cruel tax on love," calling for their elimination.
In contrast, Conservative representatives maintain that the threshold should be elevated, arguing that the current migration levels are too high and calling for stricter regulations on family visas. Shadow home secretary Chris Philp insisted on the need to reinstate higher income requirements while advocating for a systematic approach to controlling immigration into the country.
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