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| 'Tough' citizenship test outlined | 'Tough' citizenship test outlined |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Immigrants hoping to settle permanently in the UK would face tougher citizenship tests under proposals due to be outlined by the home secretary. | Immigrants hoping to settle permanently in the UK would face tougher citizenship tests under proposals due to be outlined by the home secretary. |
| Alan Johnson says he wants behaviour as well as qualifications and skills taken into account in what have been called penalties on "un-British" activity. | Alan Johnson says he wants behaviour as well as qualifications and skills taken into account in what have been called penalties on "un-British" activity. |
| His words have been seen as a warning to those taking part in activities such as protests at soldiers' parades. | His words have been seen as a warning to those taking part in activities such as protests at soldiers' parades. |
| But Tory immigration spokesman Damian Green said the plan was "pure spin". | But Tory immigration spokesman Damian Green said the plan was "pure spin". |
| 'Bad behaviour' | 'Bad behaviour' |
| A consultation to be launched by Mr Johnson will look at proposals which would extend the current points scheme to those who want to become permanent UK citizens. | A consultation to be launched by Mr Johnson will look at proposals which would extend the current points scheme to those who want to become permanent UK citizens. |
| The home secretary has said those with a history of bad behaviour will not earn the necessary points to secure a British passport. | The home secretary has said those with a history of bad behaviour will not earn the necessary points to secure a British passport. |
| This is an act of desperation by a government that knows it has let immigration run out of control Damian GreenShadow immigration minister | This is an act of desperation by a government that knows it has let immigration run out of control Damian GreenShadow immigration minister |
| A points-based system to assess whether migrants from outside the EU have the necessary skills to work and study in the UK has been in place for more than a year. | A points-based system to assess whether migrants from outside the EU have the necessary skills to work and study in the UK has been in place for more than a year. |
| Under the present arrangements, applicants are assessed on their experience, ability to speak English and whether they can fill skills gaps in the economy. | Under the present arrangements, applicants are assessed on their experience, ability to speak English and whether they can fill skills gaps in the economy. |
| Mr Johnson has claimed the tougher criteria will reduce the number of migrants. | Mr Johnson has claimed the tougher criteria will reduce the number of migrants. |
| Writing in Sunday's News of the World, he said: "Bad behaviour will be penalised, and only those with enough points will earn the right to a British passport. | Writing in Sunday's News of the World, he said: "Bad behaviour will be penalised, and only those with enough points will earn the right to a British passport. |
| "No longer will there be an automatic link between temporary work and becoming a permanent UK citizen." | "No longer will there be an automatic link between temporary work and becoming a permanent UK citizen." |
| But Mr Green said there had never been an automatic right to citizenship. | But Mr Green said there had never been an automatic right to citizenship. |
| He added: "It is simply that this government that has let an unprecedented number of people obtain citizenship, issuing someone with a British passport every five minutes. | He added: "It is simply that this government that has let an unprecedented number of people obtain citizenship, issuing someone with a British passport every five minutes. |
| "This is an act of desperation by a government that knows it has let immigration run out of control for more than a decade." | "This is an act of desperation by a government that knows it has let immigration run out of control for more than a decade." |
| A Home Office spokesman said the points-based system had been a "powerful tool" in controlling migration for the benefit of the UK public and the economy. | A Home Office spokesman said the points-based system had been a "powerful tool" in controlling migration for the benefit of the UK public and the economy. |
| He added: "New laws require migrants to earn citizenship by playing by the rules, speaking English and contributing to the community. | He added: "New laws require migrants to earn citizenship by playing by the rules, speaking English and contributing to the community. |
| "We intend to consult on how we can further strengthen these reforms and provide flexibility for the government to respond to the changing economic needs of the country." |