'Tory government chaos' as plans to hike salary visa rules quietly changed

21 December 2023 , 18:47

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It follows a major backlash over changes to visa rules earlier this month (Image: PA)

The Home Office has announced an embarrassing climbdown on a controversial hike in the threshold for family visas.

Home Secretary James Cleverly had announced plans to increase the earning threshold people need to bring foreign family members to live in the UK to £38,700. Instead it was quietly announced on Thursday evening it will raise to £29,000 in spring 2024.

Labour's Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the change was yet "more evidence of Tory Government chaos on immigration and the economy". She added: "They failed to consult anyone on their new proposals and took no account of the impact of steep spousal visa changes on families next year, so it’s no surprise they are now rowing back in a rush."

It follows a major backlash over the decision less than three weeks ago to hike the rate, which currently stands at £18,600, in a bid to reduce legal migration.

It prompted criticism as it threatened to tear families apart, with many having their future thrown into doubt as the Government considered the details of the policy. NHS and social care organisations, which rely on workers from overseas, also responded angrily at the proposed changes.

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But a policy paper released by the Home Office revealed a lower rate of £29,000 will be introduced in spring next year. The department said the threshold would be increased to £38,7000 in "incremental stages" but no date was given for its introduction.

Mr Cleverly outlined a raft of new restrictions on legal migration at the start of December, which he said will slash the number of people arriving in Britain by 300,000 a year. Amid intense pressure from right-wing Tories for a crackdown, Mr Cleverly unveiled a ban on overseas care workers bringing family dependents and a drastically hiked salary threshold for skilled workers to £38,700. The Home Office said this would happen "next spring".

Liberal Democrat Home Affairs spokesman Alistair Carmichael said: “You have to wonder who is in charge at the Home Office, or if anyone is. "It was clear to everyone else that the raising of the earnings threshold was unworkable. This was yet another half thought through idea to placate the hardliners on their own back benches. James Cleverly needs to put down the spade and stop digging. Decisions like this should be made by experts and politicians working together. He should also publish the advice from the Treasury and OBR about the impact that his package of changes will have on the economy.”

Ashley Cowburn