New UK Migrant Visa Changes Will Have Negative Impact On Families- Archbishop Warns
The Archbishop of Canterbury has expressed concern over new visa rules’ negative impact on family relationships. Justin Welby stated that while the government is rightfully focused on reducing migration, the higher income requirements could result in many families being unable to live together.
Starting next spring, Britons seeking to bring a foreign family member or partner to live with them in the UK must have a minimum annual income of £38,700, an increase from the previous limit of £18,600.
The government justified this change by emphasising the importance of ensuring that those who want to live and work in the UK can support themselves financially. The new income requirement surpasses the median gross annual earnings for full-time employees in the UK, which was £34,963 in April 2023.
In addition, overseas care workers will no longer be permitted to bring their family dependents, such as their partner or children, to the UK. These adjustments form part of a set of measures introduced earlier to reduce net migration—the variance between those immigrating to the UK and those emigrating from it.
Addressing the House of Lords, the archbishop lamented the potential consequences of the increased income requirement, stating, “This week we hear that many people in this country will be prevented from living together with their spouse, child or children… as a result of a big increase in the minimum income requirement for family visas.”
He underscored the societal importance of strong families, emphasising that the government should not impose numerous hurdles that impede the functioning of families. According to him, families are essential to the state, and without their strength, the overall fabric of society is undermined.
The archbishop’s remarks were made during an annual debate in the House of Lords, where he led a discussion on the topic “Love Matters,” focusing on the significance of love in various aspects of life.
Notably, some Conservative party members also expressed reservations about the new policy.
Former Tory minister Gavin Barwell criticised the income requirement: “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.”
Conservative Member of Parliament Alicia Kearns expressed discomfort with the proposed increase in the income requirement for family visas in an interview on LBC, stating that it could be “very unconservative.”
Emphasising the Conservative party’s allegiance to family values, Kearns highlighted her concerns regarding the potential impact of the policy change.
Dr. Madeleine Sumption, director of the University of Oxford’s Migration Observatory, emphasised that the heaviest burden of the income requirement increase would likely fall on individuals with lower incomes, including women, younger people, and those residing outside London and the southeast of England.
The Labour Party also feared escalating minimum salary requirements for family visas.
A spokesperson for Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer conveyed their “real concerns” regarding the implications of the change, suggesting that it could disproportionately impact individuals who form relationships with partners from other countries, especially if they do not meet the nearly £40,000 annual income threshold.
Responding to the criticism, a statement from 10 Downing Street clarified that the minimum income figure applies to the entire household, and individuals could also demonstrate their ability to support a dependent through their savings.
Additionally, there is a provision for “exceptional circumstances” where the consequences of not meeting the income threshold would be unduly harsh. However, the spokesperson could not provide specific examples, mentioning that applications would be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Moreover, there is uncertainty surrounding the application of the new income rules to individuals who currently have a foreign family member in the UK when their existing visa is up for renewal. Downing Street acknowledged that ongoing work was being carried out to determine how the change would affect those renewing their visas.
In summary, the Archbishop of Canterbury has voiced concerns over the potential adverse impact of the new visa rules on family relationships, emphasising the importance of strong families in society and urging the government to consider the ramifications of their policies on family life and unity.
