Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to assess the effect of the minimum income requirement regime on the integration of non-EEA spouses of British citizens.
In February 2017, the Supreme Court upheld the lawfulness of the minimum income requirement, which prevents burdens on the taxpayer and promotes integration, ruling it strikes a fair balance between the interests of those wishing to sponsor a partner to settle in the UK and of the community in general. The Court found the minimum income requirement is not a breach of the right to respect for private and family life under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights and is not discriminatory.
Whilst we continue to keep the Family Immigration Rules under review, and make adjustments should these prove necessary, our overall assessment is the Rules, including the minimum income requirement, are having the appropriate impact and are helping to ensure public confidence in the immigration system.