On 4 December 2023 the Home Secretary, James Cleverly, proposed a ‘five-point plan’ in order to reduce immigration, and the home office made adjustments to this. These changes had not been implemented at the time they were written; however, on 30 January 2024, a statement by the immigration minister, Tom Pursglove, outlined the dates on which these changes would come into effect. These dates are as follows:

• From 11 March 2024 the ban on care workers bringing any dependants (partners and/or children) to the UK will be in effect.
• From 4 April 2024 the increase in minimum salary requirements for skilled workers will be in effect (the health and care sector will be exempt from this).
• From 11 April 2024 the minimum income requirement for a spouse or family visa will be raised from £18,600 to £29,000, then to around £38,700 ‘By early 2025’.

To read the immigration minister’s full statement, click here.