Jacqui Smith, Labour’s Home Secretary, has set out a new deal for citizenship, proposing radical changes to the way newcomers are able to earn their stay in Britain.
Labour has listened to the views of the British people who were clear about the values newcomers should sign up to. Those who want to make Britain their home should speak English, pay their way, obey the law and give something back to their community.
The Green Paper ‘The path to citizenship’ proposes:
· a three stage route to citizenship, including a new probationary period of citizenship, requiring new migrants to demonstrate their contribution to the UK at every stage or leave the country;
· full access to benefits being delayed until migrants have completed the probationary period;
· migrants having to improve their command of English to pass probation;
· anyone committing an offence resulting in prison being barred from becoming a citizen;
· those committing minor offences being required to spend longer on probation;
· migrants from outside the EEA contributing to a new Transitional Impact of Migration Fund, providing extra financial help to communities experiencing change from migration; and
· migrants getting involved in their communities through volunteering being able to graduate to British citizenship more quickly.
Labour’s Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said:
“Our new deal for citizenship is clear and fair. The rights and benefits of citizenship will be available to those who can demonstrate a commitment to our shared values and a willingness to contribute to the community.
“This is a country of liberty and tolerance, opportunity and diversity – and these values are reinforced by the expectation that all who live here should learn our language, play by the rules, obey the law and contribute to the community.
“British people have welcomed migrants over the years. Our economy and our communities are stronger for their contribution to British life. And people think it’s fair that the benefits of citizenship are matched by responsibilities and contributions to Britain.
"Today's proposals are part of the biggest changes to British immigration policy for a generation. Firstly, we will have revolutionised the way in which we judge who can come. Later this month, we launch the new Australian-style Points Based System which will ensure that the UK attracts only people with the skills it needs.
“Secondly, we will have transformed the way we police the system and protect our borders. All visas for travel to Britain now require fingerprint checks as a matter of course. From April, there will be a single border force to guard our ports and airports. And by the end of 2008, we will begin to issue compulsory ID cards for foreign nationals that make it clear whether they are allowed to work, access benefits, and how long they can stay.
“The Green Paper is the next step in a complete overhaul of the way we judge who can come to Britain and the way we police the system. It sets out a path to citizenship that reinforces our shared values.”
These reforms to the immigration system will be backed up with a new single piece of legislation, replacing all existing immigration laws, which will be introduced to Parliament in November this year. This is designed to make immigration law more straightforward and transparent and make the UK’s immigration system more effective.