Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential effect on families of the Minimum Income Requirements for non-EEA spouses and partners in the event that those family members are facing financial difficulties as a result of 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.

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. Where there are exceptional circumstances, other sources of income can be taken into account.

These are unprecedented times and we may make further adjustments to requirements where necessary and appropriate, to ensure people are not unduly affected by circumstances beyond their control.