The UK government has recently announced new immigration laws that could potentially split up families already living in the country. The regulations are designed to reduce the number of migrants by 300,000 a year, but experts warn that the planned crackdown is causing distress for many.
Tax on Love
Under the new law, Brits could see their foreign partners told to leave the country the next time their visa comes up for renewal – if their household does not earn £38,700. This is a significant increase from the current figure of £18,600 and has been described as a “tax on love.”
Former Tory minister Gavin Barwell has criticized the new laws, stating that it is “both morally wrong and unconservative to say that only the wealthiest can fall in love, marry someone and then bring them to the UK.”
The changes will apply to those yet to come to the UK and those already living in the country. No 10 confirmed that the new higher figure risks affecting those already here. However, the change is “not retrospective, but it would apply to renewals in the future.”
The UK government defended the policy, stating that it is right that “if you are bringing families into the country, you are able to support them.” The income level had not been updated for ten years, and the government stressed that the amount could be spread across the household.
Provision for Exceptional Circumstances
The prime minister’s spokesperson said on Tuesday: “The family immigration rules contain a provision for exceptional circumstances where there would be unjustifiably harsh consequences for the applicant, their partner, a relevant child, or another family member if their application were to be refused.” No examples were given, and the spokesperson said applications would be considered on a “case-by-case basis.”
There are exemptions, but these will be on a case-by-case basis.
Criticism from Experts and Advocates
Madeleine Sumption, the director of the Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford, said the changes would make the UK an outlier among Western nations. “This is definitely completely different from what any other high-income country does,” she said.
Josephine Whitaker-Yilmaz, from migrant rights organization Praxis, said she was concerned for families who feel “forced to make horrible decisions” due to the changes. The changes are due to come into effect in spring and will apply when existing visas for foreign spouses come up for renewal.
Impact on Families
The UK’s new immigration laws have sparked concerns about the potential separation of families who are already living in the country. While the government has defended the policy, experts warn that it is causing significant distress for many individuals and families. The changes are set to take effect in the spring, and it remains to be seen how they will impact families in the long run. The situation is complex and requires careful consideration to ensure that families are not unfairly affected by the new regulations.
