The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has reviewed the financial requirements for British citizens and settled individuals seeking to bring partners and children to the UK. 

The Government asked the MAC to advise on how to set a minimum income requirement (MIR) for the Family route that balances economic wellbeing and family life. The MAC declined to recommend a specific income threshold, stating this is a political and ethical decision for the Government to make itself.
 
Crucially, the review rejected the previous government's proposal to raise the MIR to £38,700 to match the Skilled Worker threshold, noting:
“We do not understand the rationale for the threshold being set using this method... [It] is unrelated to the Family route and is the most likely to conflict with international law and obligations (e.g. Article 8 of the ECHR).”

Instead, the MAC outlined a range of potential thresholds between £19,000 and £28,000, depending on policy priorities. It also acknowledged the profound negative impacts of the MIR, particularly on children and their mental health, noting how family separation leads to serious emotional distress and long-term harm.

In our submission to the MAC’s call for evidence - one of 36 organisational contributions - we also highlighted the deep harm caused by this policy. The MIR disproportionately affects women, part-time workers, young people and ethnic minorities. We regularly support clients who have been separated from loved ones purely because of income levels. Children grow up without parents, and families suffer immense emotional strain.

The MAC estimated that lowering the threshold from £29,000 to £24,000 would increase net migration by only around 8,000 people, just 1–3% of projected future net migration. The idea that such a small change in migration numbers could justify the government continuing to separatie families is deeply concerning. It highlights the extent to which this policy prioritises numerical targets over family life and common sense.

Fundamentally, we believe family life should not depend on income. The MIR is a cruel and counterproductive policy that damages mental health, undermines integration, and violates the basic right to family unity.

Even politicians with hostile views on immigration, such as (previously Reform) MP Rupert Lowe, have publicly criticised the MIR as “expensive,” “stressful,” and “disrespectful” to British citizens. This cross-party consensus reflects a growing understanding that the MIR is both unfair and unsustainable.

Now that the MAC has confirmed this is a political choice, Labour must act. Reducing the threshold is not enough. The Minimum Income Requirement should be scrapped entirely in favour of a system that respects the right to family life regardless of income.

This month at RAMFEL has been packed with continued resilience from the people we support. From uplifting the story of a young man failed by the system to securing life-changing immigration status for dozens of people, here’s what we’ve been up to.

Romario’s Fight for Citizenship
Romario’s story is one of unimaginable injustice. Born and raised in the UK, he should have always had citizenship. But due to social services’ serious failures, Romario was stranded in Antigua at the age of 14. His dreams of becoming a professional athlete were shattered, and when he returned to the UK at 21, he had no immigration status, no home, and no access to support.
Romario now needs £1,576 to apply for the British citizenship he has always deserved. He isn’t in a position to afford this himself so he’s launched a fundraiser to help him rebuild his life.
Donate here to support Romario

Our ILR Fee Waiver EDM Gathers Momentum
In March, we launched an Early Day Motion (EDM) calling for a fee waiver for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) applications. The cost of applying for ILR- over £3,000 - is locking people out of stability, work, and security.
We’re thrilled to share that 36 MPs have now signed on in support. Every signature helps bring this campaign into the national conversation. If you haven’t yet contacted your MP, you can use our quick online tool to ask them to sign:
 Email your MP here

Case Spotlight – From Disbelief to Stability
Our client Jack*, supported by Weronika on our casework team, was just granted Leave to Remain (LTR), but the journey there was anything but straightforward.
Previously holding LTR, Jack missed a renewal deadline and mistakenly believed he only needed to renew his biometric residence permit. The confusion around the government’s new eVisa system only made things worse. When his disability benefits were stopped due to lack of proof of status, he became homeless and was also later diagnosed with cancer.
Through persistence and legal support, Weronika was able to help Jack secure LTR for a second time. He’s now back in stable accommodation, and we’re continuing to support him through this incredibly difficult time.
*Clients name has been anonymised

​Casework Successes
Behind every number is a person or family who can now live with more certainty and dignity. In May, our casework team achieved the following:

• 19 people granted Leave to Remain
• 6 families granted permanent immigration status
• 5 people granted British citizenship