20 February 2008
The Prime Minister has outlined the biggest changes "for a generation" to immigration procedures, including the setting up of a "citizenship contract" that explains an individual’s rights and responsibilities.
Speaking to members of the third sector and local government representatives in North London today, the PM said that he expected tougher tests for citizenship in the future, with a clear set of responsibilities set out at each stage of the immigration process. That process would be divided into three distinct phases - entry as a temporary resident, as a probationary citizen, and as a full citizen or permanent resident.
The PM said:
"For people coming to Britain, and wanting to become British, citizenship should not only be a matter of their choice but should depend upon actively entering into a contract through which, by virtue of responsibilities accepted, the right of citizenship is earned."
Mr Brown added that all newcomers - whether workers here under the points-based system or those applying to stay permanently - will normally be expected to be speak English. There will be further consultation on the proposal to withhold certain rights afforded to citizens, such as benefits and social housing, from those with a non-permanent status, he added.
In a related article for regional newspapers, the PM called the moves the "biggest changes to the immigration system for a generation". He announced a new points-based system for EU immigration that will match the skills of applicants with the needs of the economy and a proposal to collect contributions from temporary residents to help fund local service provision.
He said:
"Over many years, Britain’s open, global economy has enriched us as a nation - not just socially and culturally but economically too. Indeed, attracting skilled migrants to work in Britain’s businesses is essential to the continued success of our economy and we will do nothing to put that at risk.
"But I believe that by being more explicit about what it means to be a British citizen we can not only manage immigration in a way that is good for Britain - for our citizens, our way of life, our society, and our economy - but at the same time we can move forward as a more confident Britain."
Earlier today, in a statement to the House of Commons, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith listed a number of new proposals including raising visa fees for a special "transitional impact" fund, more English language testing, requirements to prove integration into communities and increasing how long it takes to become British.
- Citizens must accept responsibilities - PM
- Go to our Law and Order section
- Go to the Home Office website (new window)
Image copyright: Reuters
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