Indefinite leave to remain for bereaved partners

That this House supports the Refugee and Migrants Forum of Essex and London’s call for a fee waiver to be introduced for bereaved partners applying for indefinite leave to remain; notes that the death of a loved one brings multiple emotional, practical and financial costs; believes that people whose leave to remain in the UK is tied to a partner who dies are in a particularly vulnerable situation; regrets that the spouses of deceased partners are required to pay £2,404 to access that concession despite the application costing just £491 to process; recognises that people whose leave was tied to a deceased partner may not qualify for any other form of leave such as limited leave to remain; further regrets that people who cannot afford this fee may be forced to leave the UK or face detention and removal after the death of their partner; further notes that victims of domestic violence who are able to apply for indefinite leave to remain under a different concession are rightly able to apply for a fee waiver for indefinite leave to remain applications; further recognises that the lack of a fee waiver discriminates against women who constitute almost 70 per cent of those on family visas; believes it is irrational for the Government to introduce a concession in recognition of the applicants’ vulnerability if it is combined with a fee that people cannot afford; and calls for a fee waiver to be introduced.