On Channel 4 news this evening. Apparently it's been the law for two years now. Immigrants have to apply to the Home Office for permission to marry a UK citizen. If there are only a few months left on their visa it is likey they'll be turned down. Marriages have gone down in some London boroughs by as much as 58%. I know a few marriages might be shams, but i don't think the govt have a right to tell people if they can get married. It sent a shiver down my spine as dh and i got married on the quick when his visa was just about to run out, because we wanted to stay together. If he had had to apply to the govt, it is like he would have been turned down, and beloved ds wouldn't even exist.
[dh works hard and pays his taxes btw]