In a recent development, the UK government has revised its plans to increase the income threshold for migrants, initially proposed as part of a strategy to reduce legal migration. The existing threshold of £18,600 will see a significant jump to £29,000, with additional increases anticipated at unspecified intervals.
The announcement, made earlier this month, has drawn criticism from the Labour Party, with Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper characterizing it as “Tory government chaos.” Cooper emphasized the lack of proper consultation on the matter and stated that the government’s swift backtrack is not surprising.
Pressure on ministers had been mounting in recent weeks, fueled by concerns that the new visa regulations would result in the separation of families. The government had introduced a comprehensive set of measures to curb legal migration following record-high figures in the previous year, with net migration reaching 745,000 in 2022.
Home Secretary James Cleverly had initially outlined that, starting from next spring, most foreign workers would need to earn a minimum of £38,700 to qualify for a UK skilled worker visa. This same threshold would extend to the visa route allowing British or Irish citizens, as well as UK residents, to bring their family members to the country.
However, a change of plan was confirmed by Home Office minister Lord Sharpe of Epsom in response to a parliamentary question. He revealed that the threshold would now rise to £29,000 in the spring, with subsequent incremental increases for predictability. The long-term plan is for it to eventually reach £34,500 and then £38,700, although specific dates for these increments were not provided.
The Home Office has clarified that individuals seeking to renew a family visa will not be required to meet the new earnings threshold. Existing family visas within the five-year partner route or applications submitted before the threshold increase will be assessed against the current income level.
Official statistics indicate that 82,395 family-related visas were issued in the year to September, with 79% granted to partners, 13% to children, and 8% to other relatives. The government estimates that the new £29,000 threshold could contribute a “low tens of thousands” reduction toward its overall target of cutting legal migration by 300,000 this year.
Conservative MP Jonathan Gullis, while acknowledging the initial legislation as “tough and necessary,” expressed disappointment in the rollback, emphasizing the need to demonstrate control of the country’s borders.
Critics, including the Liberal Democrats, have labeled the planned £38,700 threshold as “unworkable.” Home affairs spokesman Alistair Carmichael urged transparency, calling for the publication of advice from the Treasury and the Office for Budget Responsibility on the economic impact of the proposed changes.
Healthcare organizations, including Unison and the National Care Forum, have written to Health and Social Care Secretary Victoria Atkins, urging the government to reconsider the increase. They argue that many migrants are expressing regret about moving to the UK and are planning to relocate elsewhere, emphasizing the crucial role of overseas staff in the social care sector.
Reunite Families UK, a campaign group challenging UK visa rules, deems the new £29,000 threshold still “very high for most families” and finds the government’s decision to raise the threshold gradually as “baffling,” adding complexity to an already intricate process.
