BritCits - Defending the rights of international families

According to Oxford University's Migration Observatory, these changes will mean that, of British taxpayers (and voters) in employment : - 47% will not qualify to bring in a family member.- 61% of women will not qualify to bring in a family member (showing the sexist nature of these rules).- 51% of people in Wales will not qualify to bring in a family member.- 48% of people in Scotland will not qualify to bring in a family member.- 46% of English residents will not qualify to bring in a family member.- 29% of Londoners will not qualify to bring in a family member. According to research by another academic contact we have been in touch with, the way the rules are implemented means that the figures may be even higher. For example, we have heard cases of bad advice being given out by UKBA; of people being refused by overseas stations even when they MEET the rules. It is shocking how badly thought through these new rules are and there are already cases of people falling foul of the rules, families and couples being broken up, children being forced to be without one parent.... According to the think tank, MIPEX, Britain has the most difficult to overcome spouse, partner, child and family immigration rules in Europe after Norway (source). But given that average income levels in Norway are far higher than in the UK (as of January 2013), and given the more equitable nature of Norwegian society, this suggests that Britain is easily the most difficult to enter country of immigration in Europe for spouses, partners, children and families...Read more