MPs to debate a petition relating to income requirements for family visas
15 January 2025
On Monday 20 January, MPs will debate a petition relating to income requirements for family visas.
- Watch the debate (from 4.30pm, Monday 20 January)
- Read the debate transcript (available shortly after the conclusion of the debate).
- Follow the Committee on X, formerly Twitter
Irene Campbell MP, a member of the Petitions Committee, has been asked by the Committee to open the debate. MPs from all parties can take part, and the Government will send a minister to respond.
"Don’t increase the income requirement for family visas to £38,700"
The petition, which has more than 101,000 signatures, states: "Currently the financial requirements to bring your spouse to the UK is £18,600 per year and now the Government wants to more than double it. Most people in the UK don’t make that per year. We believe this policy punishes those who fall in love with someone with a different nationality."
In its response to the petition, provided on 10 January 2024, the Government said: "The Government intends to raise the MIR in line with the general salary threshold for skilled workers, but will do so in stages to provide predictability for families, starting in spring 2024."
What are petitions debates?
Petitions debates are 'general' debates which allow MPs from all parties to discuss the important issues raised by one or more petitions, and put their concerns to Government Ministers.
Petition debates don’t end with a vote to implement the request of a petition. This means MPs will not vote on the request of the petitions at the end of the debate. Instead, the aim is to give MPs an opportunity to discuss the issues raised by a petition, and get a response from the Government.
Petition debates are scheduled by the Petitions Committee. Only e-petitions started on the Parliament petitions site are considered by the Petitions Committee.
Further information
Image: Parliamentary copyright