Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment her Department has made of the effect of (a) immigration rules in general and (b) income requirements on the eligibility of British citizens with non-EU partners to return to the UK and the incidence of family separation.

New family Immigration Rules, including a minimum income threshold for British citizens sponsoring a non-EU partner, were implemented on 9 July 2012 to prevent burdens on the taxpayer, promote integration and tackle abuse.

We have continued to keep the new Rules under review and to make adjustments in light of feedback on their operation and impact. We have also taken into account the findings of the courts, including the July 2014 Court of Appeal judgment upholding the lawfulness of the minimum income threshold.