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Scrutinising the impact of new migration rules

Posted by Kate Green, MP for Stretford and Urmston, at 10:37, Fri 21 June 2013:

This week, a debate took place in parliament on controversial new rules that are preventing some British citizens with foreign wives or husbands from living with them here in the UK. The transcript of the debate is at http://www.theyworkforyou.com/whall/?id=2013-06-19a.254.1&s=speaker%3A24896#g267.0

A parliamentary committee was set up several months ago to consider the impact of the new rules.

I know from my surgeries that the rules are affecting families in my constituency, so I offered to join the committee. We published a report of our findings last week; you can read our report at http://www.appgmigration.org.uk/sites/default/files/APPG_family_migration_inquiry_report-Jun-2013.pdf

What do these rules say?

Imagine you've been living in Canada, met a Canadian, fallen in love, and married her.

And then you're told you can't come home to live in the UK together as husband and wife.

Imagine you'd been planning your wedding to your South African fiancé, and everyone's looking forward to welcoming him into the family.

Then you're told you might not be able to live together as a married couple in the UK.

Suppose you've lived and worked here for many years, you've earned a good salary, raised your family, and now your kids have left home.

You have a big house, and you want your parents to come from India to live with you, because they're too frail and elderly to look after themselves.

But now you're told they can't come to live with you in the UK.

You're worried sick about their care.

You've been hit by rules that mean non EEA nationals won't be allowed spousal visas unless their British husband or wife earns at least £18600 a year.

You can only bring in elderly relatives if there is no way at all they could get care in their home country - even if it's from a total stranger.

The government has introduced these rules because it wants to reduce migration, and it doesn't want our welfare state to pick up the costs.

Of course we need to manage migration, and protect the public purse. But figures show most migrant spouses will get employment in the UK.

They would contribute to our economy - and pay UK tax.

Suppose a couple have children, but the spouse isn't allowed to come to live with the family.

The parent who is living here on her or his own won't have anyone to look after the children while they go out to work.

They'll have to rely on benefits instead.

The taxpayer ends up paying as a result.

In Manchester, many people, especially young people who may just be starting out on married life, will struggle to earn £18600 a year.

That's way above the minimum wage.

It's more than many NHS staff, or customer service staff, or security staff will earn.

So they can't set up home here with their husband or wife, because they don't get paid enough.

It's clear the rules are causing huge heartache, and they may not even be cost effective.

So our parliamentary committee asked the government to think again.

I hope there will be a review of the rules. We need to get the balance right between supporting families to stay together, and protecting the public purse.

There is a meeting in parliament on 10 July when we hope to present ministers with more evidence. So if you've been affected by these rules, I'd love to hear from you.

Kate Green Member of Parliament for Stretford and Urmston Shadow Spokesperson for Equality

Tel: 0161 749 9120 (constituency); 020 7219 7162 (Westminster) www.kategreen.org<http://Www.kategreen.org @kategreensu