UK Government Increases Minimum Salary Requirements For Family Visa (Photo by King's Church International on Unsplash)Immigration is an intrinsic part of an open economy and society. However, considering the huge level of immigration to the United Kingdom, this has been seen as a burden on taxpayers’ money and public services. As per the Migration Watch UK data, over 1.1 million visas were granted to foreign nationals to come and live in the UK in June 2022, which was the highest on record so far.
According to the UK’s Interior Minister James Cleverly, the country has reached a tipping point with mass migration and the government is committed to safeguarding British workers and wages from those relocating to the UK. Reportedly, there have been public demands against mass migration, and there were reports of heavy defeat of the current conservative party in the upcoming elections. With current immigration figures at 7,45,000, the UK government aims to cut it down to 3,00,000.
Immigration has become one of the key poll issues ahead of the general elections in the UK this year. Considering the public demands and domestic politics, the UK government has announced an increment in the minimum income threshold to curb mass migration. Effectively, the income benchmark sees a 9,400 pounds (55 percent) increment from 18,600 pounds to 29,000 pounds. As per the reports, an additional income benchmark will be set to 38,700 pounds from early next year.
The UK government said in a statement that the announcement is its commitment to make reforms to the immigration system. Earlier, in May 2023, the government also announced measures to tighten the student visa route. As per the official information, the new regulations are part of PM Rishi Sunak’s plan to reduce the burden on taxpayers’ money by reducing unsustainable and unfair levels of migration.
The revised income requirement will ensure self-sufficiency for those migrating and settling in the UK with a threshold level of savings and income from employment. James Cleverly added to deliver the promise at a remarkable speed. “We’ve acted to cut unsustainable numbers, to protect British workers and their wages, to ensure those bringing family to the UK do not burden taxpayers, and to build an immigration system fit for the future – and one the public can rightly have confidence in,” he added.