Home secretary under fire over suspension of family reunion system that she said was at risk of exploitation
Yvette Cooper has been accused of pushing children “into the arms of people smugglers” after halting a scheme allowing refugees to bring their family to the UK.
The home secretary said the refugee family reunion route was at risk of exploitation and she would temporarily suspend new applications until tougher rules were introduced next year.
People who have had their asylum claim accepted will instead have to apply through the standard family scheme, which applies to UK citizens who have to show that they have a joint income of at least £29,000 a year before they are allowed to bring a partner to the UK.
Keir Starmer’s government is under pressure over immigration after a summer of protests outside hotels used to house asylum seekers while their claims are being assessed.
