The Conservative administration has retracted its immigration policy just a few weeks after announcing new regulations
Among the new regulations was a wage cap of £38,700 for UK citizens who wish to sponsor a foreign spouse.
Late on Thursday evening, media reports indicated that the government has softened its stance by reducing the newly proposed fee by nearly £10,000.
The Home Office has officially disclosed details of its updated migration plans, revealing that while the Minimum Income Requirement (MIR) for family migration is set to eventually reach £38,700, the initial threshold will only be increased to £29,000. For context, the current threshold stands at £18,600. The government faced severe criticism for its immigration rule change in early December, particularly from South Asian families whose plans to sponsor a partner or spouse were disrupted by the steep £38,700 salary requirement.
A Conservative Member of Parliament expressed concerns to Politics Home on Thursday, stating that the initial policy risked portraying the party as against "love." They emphasized particular apprehension about the potential impact on members of the armed forces who formed relationships while serving overseas.
The revision to the family visa policy was officially confirmed by Lord Sharpe of Epsom in response to a written parliamentary question. Lord Sharpe noted that currently, 75 percent of the UK population meets the existing minimum income requirement of £18,600, while only 30 percent would meet the proposed £38,700 threshold based on earnings alone.
He outlined a phased approach to incrementally increase the minimum income requirement to provide predictability. In spring 2024, the threshold is set to be elevated to £29,000. However, Lord Sharpe did not provide a specific date for when the threshold would surpass £29,000 in his response.
