RBL hails decision to lower income requirement to bring non-UK partners to Britain

The Royal British Legion (RBL) has welcomed the Government's decision to lower the minimum income requirement for personnel looking to bring eligible partners and children to the UK.

Last December, it was announced a salary of at least £38,700 was required to sponsor a visa – but that is now being lowered to around £23,500.

The RBL said: "This decision reflects the need to recruit and retain this crucial cohort, and recognises the huge contribution non-UK personnel and families make to our Armed Forces."

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Reunited

Forces News spoke to Angela Kitching, campaigns policy and research director at the RBL, who said: "There was a lot of panic in the community of people who were affected.

"Particularly those who had already signed up to start their service and believed that they would be able to have access to the support of their families for the next few years.

"The biggest change is for those who are already committed to serving, it looks like it's going to be possible for them to be reunited."

Relief

She added: "There's relief, there's a lot of joy at the prospect of being able to see family soon - sooner than they believed."

Ms Kitching also said there would be relief felt within the Ministry of Defence as it could now continue to recruit from the 20-plus countries it currently recruits from to support the UK Armed Forces.