Nice article, ern.
I wonder if anyone has done a breakdown of the nationalities of all those spouses not being allowed into the country. If the result is that 90% of them come from the Indian subcontinent, I suspect one might be able to argue the policy is racist. On the other hand, if they come from "all over the place" - including as noted in the article relatively well off people in the USA - its hard to see what its trying to achieve.
It is trying to appease the Daily Mail readers.
The income threshold for immigrants is due to rise to 35,000 pounds in 2016. As has been pointed out, but so far ignored by the government, this means the UK can no longer recruit outside of Europe to fill its significant shortage of nurses.