Cowles, Ben

Cowles, Ben

Ben Cowles

26 May 2015Feature

The classist laws that block foreign partners from joining their British spouses

15 May: die-in outside the home office to protest against migrant deaths in the Mediterranean sea. Photo: CPT

Did you think that, as a British citizen, you would be allowed to live in Britain with whoever you chose to marry, however rich or poor you were?

Since 2012, the home office has required British passport holders married to, or in a civil partnership with, someone born outside the European Economic Area (EEA) to earn at least £18,600 a year before their foreign spouse can…