Belgium (Brussels Morning Newspaper), Campaigners have hit out at new plans aimed at raising the minimum salary migrants to the UK must earn.
This comes after the British government recently announced a package of measures to cut net migration to the United Kingdom.
This controversially includes plans to raise the minimum salary required for foreign workers to be eligible for a work visa.
The British Interior Minister James Cleverly said the UK government would raise the minimum salary threshold for foreign skilled workers to £38,700 from £26,200, reform the list of jobs where exceptions are made due to shortages, and toughen rules on whether workers can bring their families.
But the move has caused some disquiet including from campaigners who want to establish overseas parliamentary constituencies.
A petition has now been launched in protest at the proposals.
The protest is backed by campaigners who are, separately, trying to garner support for overseas constituencies. The initiative is run jointly by New Europeans UK and Unlock Democracy who both say the UK could benefit from giving a “proper voice” to the 3.5 British citizens living abroad.
Annual net migration to the UK hit a record of 745,000 last year and has stayed at high levels since, data showed last month.
Cleverly told MPs, “Migration to this country is far too high and needs to come down, and today we are taking more robust action than any other government before. This package of measures will take place from next spring.”
Addressing the plans announced by the UK Interior minister, Prof Ruvi Ziegler, chair of New Europeans UK, told this site: “Family members of British citizens are already subjected to punitive visa fees and an ever-rising NHS surcharge.
“The proposed income thresholds will detrimentally affect the right to family life, protected under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights. By effectively allowing only wealthy Britons to live in their country with their loved ones, they will inevitably lead to families being separated.
“Adding salt to injury is the Chutzpah of preventing health and care workers, on whose skills the British economy depends, to whom we all owe our thanks and appreciation, from living a dignified life in Britain with their families.
“Rather than vilifying migrants and imposing further restrictions on them, the government should be celebrating the contribution of migrants and their families to our collective prosperity”
Further comment comes from Clarissa Killwick, of “Brexpats – Hear Our Voice,” who said, “We are aghast at the Home Secretary’s announcement. Not only does it sound disastrous for the UK but also many Brits abroad will be extremely adversely affected by the proposed increase in the Minimum Income Requirement for family visas from £18,600 to £38,700.
“This is particularly harsh for those who moved to the EU whilst they were still EU citizens as no such conditions applied and they probably made important life decisions accordingly.
“Now for any UK citizen wishing to return to the UK with non-British spouses/family members to work or retire, or needing to return to look after elderly parents, it will be impossible unless they have an income of at least £38,700.
“Or they leave their non-British family members behind. I think this once again highlights why dedicated representation is needed for overseas constituents.”
