An Asian Conservative Party MP has raised “urgent” concerns about Commonwealth Soldiers not being allowed to bring their families with them.
Shailesh Vara, took to the floor of Parliament to address the Prime Minister and spoke about the British Army's recent recruitment campaign in the commonwealth countries.
Very pleased that the Prime Minister has agreed to meet me and others to discuss Commonwealth soldiers recruited by the British Army and not being allowed to bring their children to the UK. pic.twitter.com/HEmvzpnQYe
— Shailesh Vara MP (@ShaileshVara) 20 February 2019
“It is only after they [the commonwealth soldiers] have signed up for a minimum four year contract, do they find out that they are not allowed to bring their children to the country.
Given that these are brave men and women who are prepared to put their lives on line for us and our country. I hope that the prime minister will agree with me that this is something that needs to be looked into urgently,” said the former Minister of State for Northern Ireland.
Other senior MPs have also been calling for serving Armed Forces personnel to be exempt from the minimum income threshold, given their service to the country. Under current immigration rules, foreign workers must earn £18,600 to apply for their spouse to live in the UK. This has forced many to take on second jobs to afford to move their families to the UK.
Prime Minister Theresa May in her response said that she will “certainly meet” with him to further discuss the subject and said-
“I am aware of the issue and I am told by the Ministry of Defence that they do make sure that the information is available to the individuals about what their situation will be.”
