Title: UK Government Reverses Plans for Drastic Increase in Family Visa Salary Threshold
Subtitle: Labour criticizes lack of consultation, while concerns over separating families mount
London, UK – In a surprising u-turn, the UK government has decided to abandon its initial plans to raise the salary threshold for family visas from £18,600 to £38,700 next spring. Instead, the new threshold will be set at £29,000 initially, with further increases at unspecified dates in the future. The government’s decision comes under heavy criticism from the Labour party, who accuse them of “chaos” and failing to properly consult with stakeholders.
Recent weeks saw mounting pressure on the government as concerns grew over the potential separation of families due to the new rules. Addressing the issue, the government announced measures to reduce legal migration earlier this month, following reports of record levels of net migration in 2022.
Initially, Home Secretary James Cleverly stated that foreign workers would need to earn at least £38,700 to qualify for a UK skilled worker visa, with the same threshold applying to bringing family members to the country. However, in a change of plan, Home Office minister Lord Sharpe of Epsom confirmed that the threshold would now rise to £29,000 in the spring, incrementally reaching £38,700 over time.
The Home Office clarified that individuals who already have a family visa or apply before the threshold is increased will not be affected and will continue to be assessed against the current income level. The government’s objective of reducing legal migration by 300,000 this year is expected to be boosted by the new threshold.
Criticism over the planned £38,700 threshold has also emerged, with the Liberal Democrats labeling it as “unworkable.” Campaign group Reunite Families UK expressed disappointment that the new threshold is still considered high for most families, emphasizing the concerns surrounding potential separations.
The government’s decision to decrease the initial threshold and introduce incremental increases acknowledges the need for a more measured approach to avoid unfavorable consequences. While there are still concerns and criticisms over the revised threshold, it signifies a step towards finding a more balanced solution.
As the government continues to refine its immigration policies in response to changing migration patterns and concerns from various stakeholders, the impact on families wishing to reunite in the UK remains a pivotal issue that requires careful consideration and consultation moving forward.
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