They are proposals to try and address abuses of the system. There's been more posts on this thread now than signatories of the petition.
To quote Theresa May
"Families are the bedrock of society. Family migration must be based on a real and continuing relationship, not a marriage of convenience or a marriage that is forced or is a sham. It is obvious that British citizens and those settled here should be able to marry or enter into a civil partnership with whomever they choose. But if they want to establish their family life in the UK, rather than overseas, then their spouse or partner must have a genuine attachment to the UK, be able to speak English, and integrate into our society, and they must not be a burden on the taxpayer. Families should be able to manage their own lives. If a British citizen or a person settled here cannot support their foreign spouse or partner, then they cannot expect the taxpayer to do it for them."
