The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), an independent government panel, has suggested that lowering the UK's minimum income requirement (MIR) for family visas to between £23,000 and £25,000 would result in a 1-3% rise in net migration. The MAC also advised against the previous Tory plan to raise the threshold to £38,700, citing potential conflicts with human rights laws (Article 8 ECHR). Campaigners are disappointed the MIR isn't scrapped entirely.
Lowering UK’s income requirement for family visas ‘would increase net migration’
Immigration and asylumMigrationUKPolitics
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TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), an independent government panel, has suggested that lowering the UK's minimum income requirement (MIR) for family visas to between £23,000 and £25,000 would result in a 1-3% rise in net migration. The MAC also advised against the previous Tory plan to raise the threshold to £38,700, citing potential conflicts with human rights laws (Article 8 ECHR). Campaigners are disappointed the MIR isn't scrapped entirely.
Trending- 1 April 2024: The current minimum income threshold of £29,000 for family visa applicants was implemented.
- 2 Recently: The Migration Advisory Committee released its report with recommendations.
- 3 In due course: The Home Secretary is expected to respond to the committee's findings.
- Potential increase in net migration if the threshold is lowered
- Continued separation of families if the MIR remains in place
- Ongoing debate about balancing economic and social factors in immigration policy
- Calls for better data collection by the Home Office to inform future policy decisions
What: The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) reviewed the UK's minimum income requirement (MIR) for family visas, suggesting options for the threshold and warning of increased net migration if lowered.
When: The report was released recently. The current threshold of £29,000 has been in effect since April 2024.
Where: UK.
Why: To inform government policy on family visas, balancing economic wellbeing, family life, and human rights obligations, and to ensure families can support themselves without necessarily requiring a salary above the minimum wage.
How: MAC provided evidence and options for the threshold, based on impacts on families and economic wellbeing, and highlighted key considerations for the government's decision.