PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
Suspension of income requirements for family visas (13 September 2020)

That this House notes that there are thousands of couples and families who are currently separated, or at imminent risk of becoming separated, due to restrictive income requirements for British nationals and settled residents wishing to be joined in the UK by a partner from outside the EEA; welcomes the Minister for Immigration's commitment of 23 March 2020 that no one will have a negative outcome through the immigration system due to a circumstance that was beyond their control; further notes that family separation would clearly constitute such a negative outcome; further welcomes that Minister’s statement of 1 September 2020 that the circumstances brought about by the coronavirus pandemic are exceptional; notes with concern, however, that income requirements continue to be imposed on the sponsors of people applying to enter or remain in the UK with their British families despite those assurances; notes that guidance for caseworkers makes no mention of flexibility in the application of income requirements; is deeply troubled by the potential impact on those who must meet those income requirements of mass job losses caused by the coronavirus pandemic; and calls on the Government therefore to immediately suspend income requirements.

Sponsored by:
Stuart C McDonald (Scottish National Party)