This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7410046.stm

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Record number take UK citizenship Record number take UK citizenship
(about 1 hour later)
A record 164,635 people were granted British citizenship last year, government figures have shown.A record 164,635 people were granted British citizenship last year, government figures have shown.
Separate Home Office figures showed the number of asylum applications in the first three months of 2008, 6,595, rose 16% on the same period last year. Almost one third of the new citizens were from Africa, and 22% were Asian.
The Tories expressed concern at the figures, saying "the public will be alarmed that passports are being handed out at such a rate."
Separate Home Office figures showed the number of asylum applications in the first three months of 2008 rose 16% on the same period last year to 6,595.
Indians topped the nationalities receiving citizenships at 14,490, followed by Filipinos (10,840), Afghans (10,555), South Africans (8,150) and Pakistanis (8,140).
Graph of people granted British citizenship
Afghans were the fastest-growing group with a 211% rise on the previous year.
Shadow immigration minister Damian Green said: "Given the government's ineptitude, how can they guarantee [passports] are being granted to suitable people? This shows why it is essential our border controls are tightened."
There has been another drop in the numbers of migrants registering their arrival from eastern Europe.There has been another drop in the numbers of migrants registering their arrival from eastern Europe.
In the 2008 first quarter, 45,000 registered to work, down 7,000 on the same period last year.In the 2008 first quarter, 45,000 registered to work, down 7,000 on the same period last year.
class="bodl" href="#graphic">Graph of people granted British citizenship The figures also showed that the number of asylum applications was rising after an record low was reported last year, but the 2008 figure is still the second lowest since 1993/94.
The number of asylum applications is rising after an record low was reported last year, but the 2008 figure is still the second lowest since 1993/94.
In 2007/088 most of those seeking asylum were from Afghanistan, Iraq, Zimbabwe or China.In 2007/088 most of those seeking asylum were from Afghanistan, Iraq, Zimbabwe or China.
The number of failed asylum seekers deported from January to March was down 13%, to 2,805.The number of failed asylum seekers deported from January to March was down 13%, to 2,805.
The total number of people removed - including foreign criminals - was up 12% to 16,760.The total number of people removed - including foreign criminals - was up 12% to 16,760.
Figures showed 845,000 people whose countries joined the EU in 2004 applied between May that year and the end of March 2008 to work in Britain. Of those, more than half a million were from Poland. The figures showed Britain received the largest number of asylum applications in Europe in the first three months of this year.
The nations that joined the EU in May 2004 are Poland, Czech Republic, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Hungary, Slovakia and Slovenia. There were 7,700 including dependants, compared with 7,400 to the second most popular country, France.
Benefit pay-outs "People in Britain welcome legal migrants who work hard and play by the rules," Immigration Minister Liam Byrne said.
There were also 24,850 applications for income-related benefits such as jobseekers allowance and income support made by migrants from these countries, of which 5,818 were allowed to proceed. "But we will not tolerate law breakers, which is why we will prioritise their expulsion from Britain."
A further 102,029 of them received child benefit pay-outs, and another 58,000 tax credits.
There were a further 945 applications for worker cards from Romanians and Bulgarians, of which 360 were approved, and 7,145 applications for worker-registration certificates, of which 5,900 were granted.
Of those becoming citizens, 31% held nationality from African countries and 22% from Asian countries.
Of those leaving Britain last year, Australia was the most popular destination. Most emigrants intended to leave the UK for more than four years.
Return to the topReturn to the top