At last an update from the government petition based on excess of 10,000 signatures, which is NOT good news and our fight and stress continues, disputed the governments promise this weekend NOT to split loved ones up, which clearly this reply goes against what Amber Rudd confirmed over the weekend on BBC News: Dear Derek Taylor, The Government has responded to your petition – “HomeOffice use Compassion for UK Tax payers in allowing loved ones to stay in UK”. Government responded: The Immigration Rules for adult dependent relatives provide a route for those who require a level of long-term personal care that can only be provided in the UK by their relative here. The family Immigration Rules were reformed in July 2012 to prevent burdens on the taxpayer, promote integration and tackle abuse, and thereby ensure that family migration to the UK is on a sustainable basis that is fair to migrants and the wider community. These reforms included changes to the route for adult dependent relatives, given the significant NHS and social care costs which can be associated with these cases. The Department of Health has estimated that a person living to the age of 85 costs the NHS on average around £150,000 in their lifetime, with more than 50 per cent of this cost arising from the age of 65 onwards. This figure does not take account of any social care costs met by local authorities. Under the rules adult dependent relatives must demonstrate that, as a result of age, illness or disability, they require a level of long-term personal care that can only be provided in the UK by their sponsor here and without recourse to public funds. The new rules seek to ensure that only those adult dependent relatives who need to be physically close to and cared for by a close relative in the UK are able to settle here. Those who do not have such care needs can be supported financially in the country in which they live by their relative in the UK. The route now provides for those most in need of care, but not for those who would simply prefer to live in the UK. Under the rules adult dependent relatives must apply to settle here from overseas, not while in the UK as a visitor having undertaken to leave the UK before the expiry of their visit visa. Adult dependent relatives can continue to visit a family member in the UK (for up to six months) but must return home at the end of their visit. We do not allow visitors to switch into other immigration categories while in the UK and it would not be fair to the thousands of other visitors to the UK each year who abide by the conditions of their visit visa and leave the UK before its expiry to treat adult dependent relatives differently in this respect. The lawfulness of the new rules for adult dependent relatives was upheld by the High Court on judicial review on 20 April 2016 and, overall, we believe that the rules are having the right impact and are helping to restore public confidence in the immigration system. Home Office Click this link to view the response online: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/119736?reveal_response=yes The Petitions Committee will take a look at this petition and its response. They can press the government for action and gather evidence. If this petition reaches 100,000 signatures, the Committee will consider it for a debate. The Committee is made up of 11 MPs, from political parties in government and in opposition. It is entirely independent of the Government. Find out more about the Committee: https://petition.parliament.uk/help#petitions-committee Thanks, The Petitions team UK Government and Parliament We just need to press on with the fight through a legal team, which is going to require further funds, as our mother cannot return back to South Africa, where she will not get treatment required to keep her alive. Please continue to support Irene and the family, as every £1 will help us fight a senseless legal battle, which the government is throwing us into. Please visit the GoFundMe page and support our family as we try and do what socially is the right thing to do in taking care of our dying mother @ www.gofundme.com/289kq Visit and like Irene's face book page for updates @ www.facebook.com/saveirenenel Please continue to send your feelings directly to the new Secretary of State, Amber Rudd @ Amber.rudd.mp@parliament.uk Irene and her family appreciate your continued support, which keeps us fighting and moving forward in doing what is right. We have been advised the ITV team are seeking an update from our local MP Charlotte Lesley, who has sent a direct appeal to Amber Rudd and again we will keep you all posted without sending to many emails out to everybody. Regards Derek