Government Must Change Policy on Service Families

March 26th, 2008 by Defence Team — Articles, Welfare

Liberal Democrat Shadow Defence Secretary, Nick Harvey has welcomed the news that the Canadian wife of a British soldier has been allowed to remain in Britain.

Samantha Crozier had been told she would have to leave the UK where she lives with her husband and two children to reapply for residency as a spouse when her temporary visa runs out next month.

Commenting, Nick Harvey, who has been campaigning on the issue, said:

“I am obviously delighted by the news that Samantha can stay in Britain. However, despite this welcome decision, this problem is by no means over, there are numerous cases like Samantha’s that still need to be resolved.

“The Government needs to change its policy to help other service families in similar situations.
 
“It appears the decision to allow Samantha to stay does not recognise the time that she has spent with her husband on service in Germany, but treats her as a standard applicant for UK residency.

“The nation is indebted to British personnel and we have a duty of care and responsibility to their families. All time abroad with British service personnel should count as residency for service families.”

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1 comment so far ↓

#1 From Samantha Crozier

Well said! My case may have been resolved for the present time but not long term. As my husband is posted to Germany this process will come up again when we are posted back to Uk!!!!

This is a growing problem with service families and should not be a stress we have to deal with. I think worrying if our partners are alright well they lay there lives down for the people that reject us into this PATRIOTIC country is stress enough…..

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