The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has published its long-awaited review calling for a major shift in the government’s approach. The review, titled Family Route: Financial Requirements Review, was commissioned by the Labour government in response to the previous administration’s controversial plans to significantly raise the income threshold.
In late 2023, the Conservative government announced a sharp rise in the Minimum Income Requirement (MIR) for sponsoring a partner on a family visa, increasing it from £18,600 to £29,000, with intentions to raise it further, first to £34,500 and then to £38,700 by early 2025. The proposed final threshold mirrored the salary requirement for Skilled Worker visas. However, following strong public and political backlash, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper tasked the MAC in September 2024 with assessing whether the policy was justified and proportionate.
MAC: Family Visas Should Not Be Aligned with Skilled Worker Salaries
One of the key criticisms in the report is the previous government’s decision to tie the family visa threshold to the Skilled Worker (SW) route salary requirement, currently set at £38,700. The MAC states:
“Given the Family route that we are reviewing has a completely different objective and purpose to the Work route, we do not understand the rationale for the threshold being set using this method. We do not recommend the approach based on the SW salary threshold as it is unrelated to the Family route and is the most likely to conflict with international law and obligations (e.g. Article 8).”
Instead, the committee suggests a more reasonable range of £23,000 to £25,000, a figure based on full-time earnings at the National Living Wage. This adjustment would allow most British citizens in stable employment to meet the requirement without forcing families into prolonged separation.
Balancing Economic and Human Rights Concerns
The report acknowledges the tension between controlling immigration and protecting family life. While a higher threshold could reduce net migration and taxpayer costs, the MAC warns of the severe emotional and financial strain on families, particularly children.
“The impacts include stress and mental health problems caused by separation, as well as financial problems caused by the lack of support from the partner. The impacts on British children separated from one of their parents are particularly concerning,” the review states.
Professor Brian Bell, MAC Chair, emphasised in the report’s cover letter: “Our analysis and research show that the MIR can have significant negative impacts on families.”
A Call for Policy Reform
Beyond revising the income threshold, the MAC urges the Home Office to reassess how it evaluates family applications, particularly those involving British children. The committee highlights:
“We are not convinced that the current system sufficiently takes into account the negative impacts of separation on British children. In particular, we recommend a review of eligibility for the Parent route to consider making parents of British children eligible regardless of their relationship status.”
While the report does not prescribe an exact threshold, it presents a clear case against drastic increases, arguing that the current approach lacks a coherent rationale. The final decision now rests with the government, which must weigh economic objectives against the right to family life under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
With pressure mounting for a fairer system, the MAC’s findings could mark a turning point in UK immigration policy, one that prioritises both fiscal responsibility and the wellbeing of families.
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