Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of suspending the minimum combined income requirements for spousal visas during the covid-19 outbreak.

The Home Office has put in place a range of measures to support those affected by the covid-19 outbreak. We continue to monitor the situation closely and take these exceptional circumstances into account. We may make further adjustments to requirements where necessary and appropriate to ensure no one is penalised for circumstances beyond their control.

The minimum income requirement can be met in a number of ways in addition to or instead of income from employment or self-employment. For example, income from the couple’s investments, property rental or pension may also be taken into account, together with their cash savings.