Help on earnings please

[katherine2473]

Hi there, I'm new here so forgive me if I ask a question someone has already answered!
My partner is American and looking to go down to the HSMP route to move over here. I have 2 questions:
(1) Does anyone know if per diems count towards income? He was based over here with the US Navy for 8 months earlier this year. During this time the US government paid him a fixed amount per day to compensate him from being away from his home base. It is a formal documented payment but is not taxable and does not appear on tax returns or pay slips (although we can easily get documentation showing the amounts - as I say, it is a formal payment made by the government and so entirely above board!) Is this going to count towards the minimum income level?
(2) At the time of filling out the form he will not be able to work in this country (he will be midway through converting his Us to UK pilot qualifications). He will have evidence that he is doing the conversion, and he will be able to work by the time he enters the country. Does anyone know if this is likely to cause a problem?
Many thanks!

[kumi]

1) Salary paid to him in US will be considered as per the new rules. Per Diems will not be considered as salaries.
2) me have no idea, I will let the rest of the world to handle it...