Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department plans to change the £18,600 income threshold for immigration of non-EEA partners of British citizens.

The minimum income threshold of £18,600 for sponsoring a non-EEA partner to come to the UK prevents burdens on the taxpayer and promotes integration. It was set following advice from the independent Migration Advisory Committee and reflects the income at which a family settled in the UK generally ceases to be able to access income-related benefits. The policy has been approved by Parliament and upheld as lawful by the courts.