Title page
Contents
Summary 4
1. What is the financial requirement? 6
1.1. Why was the financial requirement introduced? 6
1.2. Why was it £18,600? 7
2. How is the financial requirement satisfied? 8
2.1. What kinds of income count? 8
2.2. Are there any exceptions? 11
3. Scrutiny and opposition 15
3.1. Calls to change the policy 15
3.2. Parliamentary scrutiny 19
3.3. Legal challenge 20
3.4. Number of people affected 21
4. Proposed increases to the income threshold from April 2024 22
4.1. £29,000 from 11 April, and £38,700 by early 2025 22
4.2. Why is the Government increasing the threshold? 23
4.3. Why £38,700? 24
4.4. Reaction to the announcement 25
Annex: Sources of information and advice for constituents 27