Executive Summary 
British citizens and settled residents who earn less than £18,600 a year cannot live in the UK with a partner from outside the European Economic Area, because of a rule called the Minimum Income Requirement (MIR). This rule means that tens of thousands of British citizens and settled residents are unable to live with their partner in the UK. The policy pushes many affected people out of paid work.
Before the coronavirus pandemic hit, over 40% of the population were already not earning enough to establish a family life with a partner from outside the EEA. Due to regional pay discrepancies, this was as high as 60% in some regions. Those already unable to meet the MIR included some 225,000 NHS England staff, as well as nearly 70% of people employed in adult social care.  
Now, as a result of the measures taken to safeguard public health, and their economic impact, many more families will struggle to earn enough – and/or meet the strict evidentia…