Earlier this month, ministers said arrivals must be earning at least £38,700 to bring a relative or partner to the UK — fuelling fears it would rip apart families.

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Today, Home Office minister Lord Sharpe of Epsom said it would initially be £29,000 and did not specify when it will increase beyond that.

Tory MP Jonathan Gullis called the retreat “deeply disappointing”.

Home Secretary James Cleverly insisted the plan would still cut net migration, with 300,000 fewer people coming to the UK compared with last year.

Meanwhile, Lib Dem frontbencher Alistair Carmichael slammed the Government for yet “another half-thought through idea to placate the hardliners on their own back benches”.

He added: “James Cleverly needs to put down the spade and stop digging.

Decisions like this should be made by experts and politicians working together.”