Sajid Javid to announce rule change allowing soldiers from Commonwealth countries to bring families to Britain

BRITISH home secretary Sajid Javid will announce on Wednesday (5) his decision to allow soldiers from Commonwealth countries to bring their families to Britain.

The home secretary told the Daily Mail: "As we celebrate the incredible heroism of those who stormed the beaches of northern France, it’s only right that we give those serving today the ability to build their lives in the country they serve so well."

Javid, who is in the race to replace Theresa May, is expected to scrap settlement fees of nearly £3,000 per person that Commonwealth soldiers must pay to bring families their families to Britain.

Under current immigration rules, foreign workers must earn £18,600 to apply for their spouse to live in the UK. The minimum income requirement to bring over one child is £22,400.

A soldier’s basic pay after training at the rank of Private is £18,859 a year, forcing many to take on second jobs to afford to move their families to the UK.

The UK Armed Forces currently has more than 6,000 personnel from foreign and Commonwealth countries. More are being recruited each year.

Calling for a change in immigration rules, the Army Families Federation (AFF) had earlier said: "Commonwealth members of our Armed Forces make up a significant and vital part of the UK’s defence capability and as a nation, we ask them to make significant sacrifices to do so.

"Years of enforced separation from their families should not be one of those sacrifices."

Conservative MP Tom Tugendhat, who was a lieutenant colonel in the British Army, tweeted back in February: "Commonwealth troops should be able to bring their kids to Britain. If they fight for us, they should be able to live with us."

Commonwealth troops should be able to bring their kids to Britain. If they fight for us, they should be able to live with us. https://t.co/8ZaXMX2NLb

— Tom Tugendhat (@TomTugendhat) February 11, 2019

Javid announced his bid to run for the post of the leader of the Conservative party on May 27 with video on microblogging platform Twitter.

"I'm standing to be the next leader of @Conservatives & Prime Minister of our great country. We need to restore trust, bring unity and create new opportunities across the UK. First and foremost, we must deliver Brexit. Join @TeamSaj to help me do just that," Javid tweeted.

May is set to step down as the leader of the Conservatives on June 7.