Children’s commissioner criticises ‘discriminatory’ Home Office rules that are separating families in which one parent is barred from living in Britain

At least 15,000 British children are growing up as “Skype kids” because an immigration income threshold does not allow both of their parents to live together in Britain, a children’s commissioner report has found.

The research, by the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI) and Middlesex University, shows that thousands of British families have been affected by a Home Office minimum income threshold of £18,600 a year for sponsoring a foreign spouse to live in the UK, which was introduced in 2012.

The report, Family Friendly?, says the introduction of the £18,600 threshold has resulted in separation for thousands of British families in which one parent is not entitled to live in the UK.

Most of the children – 79% in the survey – affected by the changes are themselves British citizens, and many have suffered distress and anxiety as a result of separation from a parent.

The research confirms that the £18,600 minimum income threshold for a UK citizen to bring a foreign spouse or partner from outside Europe to live in Britain on a family visa would not be met by almost half of the adult population.

Immigration policy tearing families apart, report shows Read more

“The threshold is too high and is discriminatory. British citizens who have lived and worked abroad and formed long-term relationships abroad are particularly penalised and find it very difficult to return to the UK,” says the report, published on Wednesday.

Anne Longfield, the children’s commissioner for England, said there was a wealth of evidence indicating that children were far more likely to thrive when raised by parents in a warm, stable and loving family environment.

“I am therefore very concerned that the immigration rules introduced in July 2012 actively drive families apart, and leave British children able to communicate with one parent only via Skype,” said Longfield.

“Many of the children interviewed for this research suffer from stress and anxiety, affecting their wellbeing and development. It is also likely to have an impact on their educational attainment and outcomes because they have been separated from a parent, due to these inflexible rules which take little account of regional income levels or family support available.”

Saira Grant, the JCWI’s legal director, said: “In an ongoing attempt to reduce migration the government has introduced rules which are now adversely impacting on British citizen families and children. This must surely be an unintended consequence but one that must now be urgently addressed.”

A Home Office spokeswoman said those who wished to make a life in the UK with their family, work hard and make a contribution were welcomed.

“But family life must not be established here at the taxpayer’s expense. That is why we established clear rules for British citizens looking to bring their non-EU spouse to this country, including a minimum income threshold, based on advice from the independent migration advisory committee,” the spokeswoman said.

“The level of the minimum income threshold reflects the income at which a British family generally ceases to be able to access income-related benefits.

The policy has been approved by parliament, and upheld by the courts as lawful and compliant with our legal duty to safeguard and promote child welfare.”

