I know that this thread has taken several directions since it started but I've been reviewing the original article in The Telegraph, and it's really bothering me. In particular, this quote from Theresa May:

"The package which I propose to implement from June 2012 will reduce the burdens on the taxpayer, promote integration and tackle abuse."

I'm not sure if all spousal visas specify "no recourse to public funds", but mine certainly does. So how would this proposal "reduce the burdens on the taxpayer", seeing as those on these visas cannot claim public benefits anyway?

Why don't they just develop better ways to scrutinise as to whether a relationship is genuine or not? I would not mind going through an interview process or any other method they deem necessary to see if my relationship with my husband is genuine.

I know that it is pointless to speculate on the motivations behind all of this as it doesn't do any good, but this just seems like they are trying to limit what immigration they can -- i.e., they can't limit EU immigration, so they are taking it out on non-EU immigrants. It is bizarre to me that a couple from an EU country - neither of them British - could come to the UK AND receive public funds (as is my understanding from documentaries that I've seen about UK immigration policy), yet my husband (a lifelong British resident/citizen) and I may not be able to stay in the country that we've chosen as our home because we do not (currently) meet proposed income requirements?

I've been very excited about starting my life with my husband, together, but these proposals are really scary and could potentially mean that we can't be together in the long-term. It also makes me less eager to make the UK my home. It puts a lot of uncertainty into my life that I thought we'd gotten past by getting through the initial visa process and the many years that we had to spend apart previously. I think it's just a really emotional time for me moving to a new country, so I'm blowing it out of proportion, but I feel really discouraged by all this uncertainty and speculation. I just want to be happy and focus on our life together and this really puts a damper on that.