This winter families all over the UK will be struggling with the rising cost of living and the impact of that on their families and their quality of life. For many, this burden is already a lot to bear but for families caught up in Britain’s hostile immigration policies, the impacts are devastating – pushing them into decisions no family should have to make.

This year, as they do every year, many children are writing their letters to Santa. But instead of asking for a present they are asking for the return of their mother or father. For many children there will be a place at the table where a parent should be sitting, and presents being opened to a computer screen. No child should be put through that. Help us put one more smile on this special day by giving them a surprise present this festive season.

The cost of Britain's immigration policies on families has been huge – and for many children, the cruellest part is that our government is keeping a child apart from one of their parents simply because they do not earn enough money. And whilst a present will never replace the joy of having their mummy or daddy with them again, the gift is symbolic of a society that understand how wrong it is to do that to children and families. The hostile policy has made many families unnecessarily reliant on a single wage or the benefits system, pushed families into single parenting and causing untold mental health impacts on children, parents and grandparents. With a recession, fuel and food bills soaring, money to spend on extras such as Christmas presents will be near impossible for many of our members.

Why are these children separated?

In 2012, a Minimum Income Requirement [MIR] that was introduced by the government which requires the British spouse to earn at least £18,600 to sponsor their foreign spouse or partner. The rules are deliberately designed to separate families where the UK government does not believe that a spouse has the financial capacity to support their spouse. Many lower-income earners are already unable to live with their partner and family in the UK - and with British/EU families now required to meet the MIR, far more families will be affected.

We know this winter, holidays and Christmas will be a challenging time for many families but even £2 would make a difference to the children of the MIR who will not be able to spend their time with their mother or father.

This holiday season please ‘pass it on’ and put a smile on a child’s face.

Reunite Families UK is a lived experience led not for profit organisation funded by Justice Together Initiative and Paul Hamlyn Foundation that supports and campaigns for families affected by the UK’s spouse visa rules.

Please donate to Reunite Families UK Children’s Festive Fund

For more information on this issue and how it is impacting families go to www.reunitefamiliesuk.co.uk