Sunak Under Fire for Phased Migrant Family Visa Pay Hike
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is defending a controversial move to gradually raise the earnings threshold for migrants bringing family members to the UK. The phased approach has sparked fury among right-wing Tory MPs, who slam it as a sign of weakness.
What’s Changing?
- Earnings Bar Raised: The minimum salary migrants must earn to sponsor family members is set to increase to £38,700 – but not all at once.
- Phased Increase: The threshold will initially jump to £29,000 this spring, with further hikes to follow, though no firm timeline has been given.
Conservative Backlash
- Right-Wing Rebuke: Hardline Tory MPs like David Jones, deputy chairman of the European Research Group, accuse the government of lacking resolve on immigration.
- Ex-Minister’s Disgust: Jonathan Gullis blasted the policy on social media, saying it undermines efforts to tighten controls.
Government Stance
- Sunak’s Defence: Speaking at Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance HQ, Sunak said the phased rises stick to the original plan – just spread out over time.
- Home Office Explanation: Officials confirmed the gradual increase in response to parliamentary questions, stressing the phased rollout.
Opposition Outrage
- Labour’s Criticism: The Shadow Home Secretary slammed the government for ignoring families and failing to consult.
- Liberal Democrat Slam: Lib Dems called the £38,700 threshold “unworkable” and attacked Home Secretary James Cleverly’s handling of the policy.
Policy Background & Impact
- Clampdown Plan: Home Secretary James Cleverly announced the pay hike as part of wider efforts to curb legal migration after record net migration figures.
- Limited Effect: Experts warn the new threshold tweaks will barely dent overall immigration levels.
What’s Next?
- Unclear Timeline: No specific dates for reaching the full £38,700 salary bar have been disclosed.
- Political Fallout: The row continues to roil Tories and opposition alike, highlighting the tricky balancing act of immigration policy.
The Bottom Line
Sunak’s decision to phase in higher earnings requirements for migrant family visas has reignited fierce debate. The government claims it’s a measured approach, but critics see it as a betrayal of stricter borders promises. All eyes will be on how this plays out in migration stats and across family homes.
