Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Adult Dependent Relative Visas

03 November 2021 · 2 other contributors · 4,498 words

Opened by Stephen Timms Lab East Ham

Responding minister: Rachel Maclean

ImmigrationNHS

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Stephen Timms raised concerns about adult dependent relative visas in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Government implemented a hostile environment policy in 2012, making it difficult for elderly relatives of British citizens to obtain visas.
  • From 2017 to 2020, only 35 out of 908 visa applications were approved at first attempt.
  • MP urges Minister to review the policy and provide a cost comparison between the current and more accommodating approaches.

Key requests to Government

The MP urges the Minister to review the unfair policy on adult dependent relative visas and provide a figure for the cost of a more accommodating policy compared to the current restrictive approach. He asks why so few applicants have been successful in the past nine years and what justification there is for weakening the NHS by preventing elderly relatives from joining their key worker families in the UK.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Stephen Timms Lab East Ham

In 2012, the Government implemented a hostile environment policy making it extremely difficult for elderly relatives of British citizens to join them in the UK. Data shows that from 2017 to 2020, only 35 out of 908 visa applications were approved at first attempt. The rules are undermining the NHS by forcing doctors to choose between their work and supporting their elderly parents abroad. Six thousand doctors left the NHS in five years, many for this reason. A survey found that 90% of doctors reported feelings of anxiety, stress, and helplessness because of these immigration policies.

Other contributors (2)
  • Ben Lake PC Ceredigion Preseli

    He thanked the right hon. Gentleman for raising an important issue and highlighted a constituent's personal dilemma of balancing her duties as a doctor with caring for parents in India, urging consideration of both the NHS impact and the emotional trauma. In rural areas, losing a single GP can affect the entire community's healthcare provision. There is an impact beyond individual families when skilled professionals leave due to visa issues.

  • Khalid Mahmood Lab Birmingham, Perry Barr

    He thanked his right hon. Friend for securing the debate, pointing out that training a junior doctor costs about £230,000 and a GP or consultant around £500,000. He argued that these professionals should be allowed to bring over parents as they are well-paid and can contribute towards health insurance, providing them peace of mind. The issue is not just about finances but about relationships and family linkage. Supporting someone abroad does not equate to maintaining a family bond.

Government Response

Rachel Maclean

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Ms Bardell. I thank the right hon. Member for East Ham (Stephen Timms) for securing this debate and acknowledge the strength of feeling on adult dependent relative visas as articulated by other Members. The family immigration rules were reformed in July 2012 to ease the burden on taxpayers, promote integration, and tackle abuse while ensuring fair family migration to the UK. Under these rules, adult dependants must demonstrate that they require long-term personal care from a close relative in the UK without recourse to public funds, applying from overseas rather than while in the UK as visitors. The Government's duty is to formulate fair immigration policies for both migrants and taxpayers, ensuring no unfair burden on the NHS or social care system. The current rules aim to support those most in need of care but do not provide a routine expectation of settlement for parents and grandparents aged 65 or over due to significant costs to public services. There is no evidence that medical professionals have been deterred from applying to work in the UK since revised rules were implemented, and demand for skilled worker visas has increased. The NHS has made savings estimated at around £249 million over ten years with these changes while considering alternative methods like mandatory healthcare insurance or bond schemes but found them potentially unreasonable and discriminatory. The Government continues to review policies to ensure fairness across society and protect public services.

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