Government announces major changes to legal immigration, increased minimum income requirement

The announcement of the very large increase from £18,600 to £38,700 in the minimum income requirement for a spouse or family visa was met with considerable surprise and dismay on social media. Katie Newbury of Kingsley Napley solicitors noted on X (formerly Twitter) that the increase also means that British people will need to earn at least £38,700 if they want to bring their partner to the UK. The non-profit organisation Reunite Families UK said it was "beyond devastated" by the increase. Author and political journalist Ian Dunt called it "an assault on mixed-nationality British families". Chris Smyth, the Whitehall editor of The Times, noted that three quarters of British people are now "too poor to marry a foreigner".

Downing Street said the aim of the new plan was to deliver the biggest reduction in net migration on record. The Home Secretary said the new measures would mean that over 300,000 of the estimated 1.2 million people who moved to the UK in 2022 would now be unable to do so.

That's that then... for 75% of the population if you marry a foreigner... **** off!

All Thatcher 's fault... and those that came after just carried on the game... and most of the UK population, like sheep, bought it hook line and sinker.

back in 2012 when the £18,600 minimum income was brought in--the theory was that £18,6 was the point below which was where social security benefits kicked in...so now its £38k ..?

And for those of you without any income, wondering if you have enough savings to bring over the wife:

Old Savings Required: 62,500.00 - 16,000.00 (Bens Cap) = 46,500.00 / 2.5 = 18,600.00

New Savings Required: 110,000.00 - 16,000.00 (Bens Cap) = 94,000.00 / 2.5 = 37,600.00

Ouch!

What a shambles the UK is... why is it comparatively easy for Australians/US Citizens and those in the EEC to take their wives and children back to their home country?

its a clever move.

Any political move to curb immigration will be hugely popular with the great unwashed.

But if they do manage to lose--they are handing the hot potato over to the next party in power to play with.

yeah--i had done a quick calculation just before you hit the post button.

Oh well, at least we and our Ozzy and American friends have one thing in common now. Our countries are run by immigrants.

Just in case anyone doesn't know: Rushi on the left and James on the right...

Probably better not say anymore else the woke brigade will be after me

Now now, your not allowed to critisize the government.

They know best don't you know.

I just had to inform a very special wee soul in the Philippines who was hoping to come here of this news, which i don't mind telling you made me feel terrible doing.

It's like some of you have said in here already.....

On the surface they make it look to be seen like they're doing something, whilst in reality they keep the border open and let the "desirables" in the back door.

What a joke.

A bunch of cowardly self-serving clowns comes to mind (all parties).

Totally.

The key word is in the title isn't it.

Government announces major changes to """legal""" immigration, increased minimum income requirement

just a thought--round peg--round hole--perfect fit.

Still lots of carers needed in the care home business--plenty of asylum seekers without jobs.
Dont take long to train a person to wipe bums.

They will be queuing up for the next rubber dinghy out.

Problem is, forcing someone to wipe bum will breach their Human Rights...

I was under the impression most dingy dwellers variety didn't want to work anyway.

Can i jgst ask this question here bacause i don't really know the right place to do so in here ....

Does anyone here know of someone with good knowledge of emigrating to Philippines who can offer free advice and whom would be willing to have an actual telephone call regarding this?

I've bee here a while now, lot's of others here have lived here a while too, most are back in the UK now I think... some still planning to retire here...

Most people just ask their questions and the regulars here answer them... or tell them where to find more info etc.

Best to just ask away

I don't think a Starmer government would have introduced these new measures. But once the dirty work has been done by the Tories, I don't think a Starmer government would reverse the changes either. Perhaps if we begin to see more shortages in "unskilled" (I don't like using that word) roles, the thresholds may be reduced for workers but I'd be surprised if it was reduced for family visas.

Honest to god, don't prove yourself to be a complete moron. That kind of language is exactly why communities such as this are seen as an easy target to reduce and demonise immigration.

Section 4 of the statement key word is bring! The HS is talking about people coming in to jobs and bringing dependant family members who at present they can not afford to keep.
At no point does he address in his statement the British citizen who brings in a spouse like most of us have done or are doing.
Yes we will see an increase on the earning threshold for this sponsor stream but I doubt it will be anything near the£38k for skilled and unskilled workers wanting to bring in tag alongside.
Mid £20 k bracket probably.
Yes all come on a family visa but the visa routes are streamed by applicants

Secondly, we will stop immigration undercutting the salaries of British workers. We will increase the skilled worker earnings threshold by a third to £38,700 from next spring, in line with the median full-time wage for those kinds of jobs. Those coming on health and social care visa routes will be exempt, so we can continue to bring in the healthcare workers on which our care sector and NHS rely

cannot bring dependants though

The statement is vague. Probably deliberately so. The main attention thus far has been on healthcare workers as those have always received far more attention than those marrying foreign spouses. The Home Office has made no attempt to offer clarification despite the dozens of high profile cases being talked about in all sectors of the media today of ordinary British citizens with American, Malaysian and Turkish partners.

If the PMs spokesperson is to be believed, the new thresholds will apply for visa renewals. That will be disastrous for many. I for one am relieved that our ILR application is going in this January. Will do citizenship asap after that as cannot risk the rug being pulled from under our feet.

Brexit and the constant furore about immigration has screwed us all.


https://www.independent.co.uk/news/...ly-prime-minister-gavin-barwell-b2458731.html