Quote Originally Posted by lastlid View Post
This seems to be the kind of figure banded about. But I just wonder if they might start off at a lower level and ease it up slowly. Say a starting point of 10K or 12K per annum and then ratchett the levels upwards. I have to say that I am not fully in touch with the facts at all, but I seem to recall that Denmark have much stiffer hurdles for Spouse visas than we do and yet Article 8 still applies to Denmark also. (I seem to recall the Danish bit cropping up in the governments recent consultation / assessment on these matters when they were looking to see how other countries dealt with these issues).
I doubt that any starting point would be that low.
The MAC report states the following :-

Under the assumption that housing costs are zero, the equivalent current gross income threshold would be £5,500 per year.

Under the assumption that housing costs are £119 per week, the equivalent current post-tax income threshold is £224.95 per week (i.e. £105.95 plus £119).
The equivalent current gross income threshold is therefore £264 per week, or £13,700 per year.

The above assumptions are for a childless couple.

The current "financial test" is generally based on income support levels, which for 2011/2012 are set at £105.95 per week. Means the sponsor needs to show that amount as available for discretional spending.
This was largely arrived at by tribunals and legal system.