I welcome that the Government is taking decisive action to curb the levels of legal migration. The steps being taken will ensure that immigration always benefits the UK, while ensuring that the NHS and the country's most innovative businesses always have access to the talent they need to succeed.
As such, the Government has taken the decision to increase salary thresholds for skilled workers by 48 per cent to £38,700, in line with the median full-time wage for equivalent jobs. The current general salary threshold is £26,200. I understand that the increase will take place from March.
However, those coming in on the Health and Social Care visa route will exempted so that the country can continue to bring the healthcare workers that the care sector and the NHS need. If these new rules were in place, they could have prevented over 10,000 individuals and their dependants coming to the UK in the year to September 2023. In future, this will mean that employers are not incentivised to undercut UK workers with cheaper overseas workers and instead invest in the skills of the domestic workforce.
I understand that constituents are concerned about extending their spouse/partner visa after spring 2024, and whether the new salary threshold will apply to them. I am aware that the Home Office has said that they are establishing the specifics of the policy, including how it will apply to those renewing visas, and will confirm more details in due course. I can assure you I will continue to monitor this issue closely.
The Home Office has said that when applying for the initial visa from outside the UK, only the sponsor's income can be counted towards the minimum income threshold. I understand that for extensions and permanent residence, both incomes count. There are some option for people who do not earn the minimum income, allowing them to qualify for the visa by other means such as by using savings or in exceptional circumstances. The Government has said that this will still be possible once the threshold rises.