Family campaigners raise concerns over earned settlement reforms
05 Nov 2026
Several migrant and refugee groups have responded to the Government's earned settlement announcement. A report published on 4 November 2026 sets out their concerns. This post covers what one of them, Reunite Families UK, said about families. These are the views of campaigners. They are not confirmed rules.
Reunite Families UK welcomed the Government's decision to assess household income rather than individual income. But the report says the group believes the approach "penalises families where one partner cares for children or elderly parents." If one partner in your household has caring duties and a lower income, this is the point to watch.
The group also says some questions are still open. In its words: "It is still unclear whether partners of British citizens who hold a visa other than a spouse visa will be able to settle in 5 years or under the rules of that visa, not as the partner of a British citizen." It says the same lack of clarity applies to partners of people who became British after their partner's first spouse visa application. It adds that "Many details remain unclear and must be set out in the coming days."
If you are the partner of a British citizen, do not assume which timeline applies to you yet. The report gives no start date and no deadline for action. Check GOV.UK for the detailed rules before you plan an ILR application. You can read our earlier post on the announcement for what the Government has said so far.
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