It's no secret that on average it is more expensive to live in London and it's no secret that wages are higher in London. There are exceptions of course but lets assume average figures. So for that reason I would say a different figure should be used in keeping with the average person living in another part of the country where costs of living and wages are lower than the national average. So lets say for the minute that a 26k threshold is okay for London, then it is going to be too much for many of those living in other parts of the UK (not all but many). So the figure the government comes up with should at least recognise the above, somehow.
2 ways it could be done.
1] Don't use the national average or London based figures. Use a threshold in keeping with those areas of the country where wages and costs of living are lowest. (Seemingly Belfast is an example of such a city)
2] Attempt to vary the threshold regionally. This sort of thing is already in place in the form of London weighting, for example where London wages and London costs of living for are taken into account.
Its all very well someone living and working in London saying 26k or 30k ought to be the minimum when that figure is simply too much in other parts of the country.
If we look at it another way, set it at 26k for Londoners and then only the average Londoner will be eligible to bring in a spouse from a non EU country as Mr Average from other parts of the country wont be earning that threshold figure.
