With immigration being a hot topic (as it has been for some time) to me this announcement feels as though its the government trying to broadcast that they have done something that's going to make a difference to the overall immigration situation, I dont know the specific numbers involved but surely increasing the financial threshold for which you can bring a foreign spouse to the UK isn't really going to make very much difference to the overall immigration numbers - Aren't illegal immigrants arriving in boats claiming asylum are by far the biggest drain on the economy / health services etc etc, sort that out & its much more likely to make a significant difference.

This has little or nothing to do with the issue of British citizens being able to live with their spouse if that spouse happens to have been born elsewhere. Just imagine how you would feel if the person you love and want to spend the rest of your life with is banned from being with you solely on financial grounds. Would that feel fair?

The issue of students is entirely different and has already been addressed in these pages. The rules change in January when only those on post grad research degrees will be permitted to bring family members with them. They pay fees, often higher than those asked of home students.

International students will have their visa marked with “no access to public funds”, so won’t get benefits. They will pay the NHS surcharge.

Overstaying is possible but why would they do it? They cannot access benefits and would never be able to go home. They aren’t illegals trying to hide from the system or asylum seekers. They have generally been sponsored in some way as their costs are high.

And if someone's on the dole and they go on holiday to Thailand and bring back a wife then that's just fine?

Depends what she looks like.

If you've contributed toward paying for her, surely you are allowed a go? Worth the yellow if it comes BTW

This has little or nothing to do with the issue of British citizens being able to live with their spouse if that spouse happens to have been born elsewhere. Just imagine how you would feel if the person you love and want to spend the rest of your life with is banned from being with you solely on financial grounds. Would that feel fair?

The issue of students is entirely different and has already been addressed in these pages. The rules change in January when only those on post grad research degrees will be permitted to bring family members with them. They pay fees, often higher than those asked of home students.

International students will have their visa marked with “no access to public funds”, so won’t get benefits. They will pay the NHS surcharge.

Overstaying is possible but why would they do it? They cannot access benefits and would never be able to go home. They aren’t illegals trying to hide from the system or asylum seekers. They have generally been sponsored in some way as their costs are high.