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British citizenship tests planned British citizenship tests planned
(10 minutes later)
Immigrants who want to become British and settle permanently in the UK will need to pass more tests to "prove their worth" to the country under new plans.Immigrants who want to become British and settle permanently in the UK will need to pass more tests to "prove their worth" to the country under new plans.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said migrants would need to demonstrate their contribution to society beyond simply working and paying taxes.Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said migrants would need to demonstrate their contribution to society beyond simply working and paying taxes.
Some migrants may also have to pay into a fund towards public services and have a period of "probationary citizenship".Some migrants may also have to pay into a fund towards public services and have a period of "probationary citizenship".
The Tories called the plans, which do not cover EU citizens, a "gimmick".The Tories called the plans, which do not cover EU citizens, a "gimmick".
Unveiling the proposals, Ms Smith said reforming how people become citizens was the unfinished business of the UK's migration system.Unveiling the proposals, Ms Smith said reforming how people become citizens was the unfinished business of the UK's migration system.
She said that future migrants would need to "earn" citizenship. This scraps the current system which allows people to apply for naturalisation on the basis of how long they have lived in the UK.She said that future migrants would need to "earn" citizenship. This scraps the current system which allows people to apply for naturalisation on the basis of how long they have lived in the UK.
'Transitional fund''Transitional fund'
Ms Smith said migrants from outside the EEA would no longer have an option of living in the UK without becoming more committed to society over time.Ms Smith said migrants from outside the EEA would no longer have an option of living in the UK without becoming more committed to society over time.
In the future, she said, they would be encouraged to "move on" through a system that leads to citizenship - or choose ultimately to leave the country.In the future, she said, they would be encouraged to "move on" through a system that leads to citizenship - or choose ultimately to leave the country.
The package of measures includes:The package of measures includes:
  • Raising visa fees for a special "transitional impact" fund
  • Raising visa fees for a special "transitional impact" fund
  • More English language testing ahead of nationality
  • More English language testing ahead of nationality
  • Requirements to prove integration into communities
  • Requirements to prove integration into communities
  • Increasing how long it takes to become British
  • Increasing how long it takes to become British
    • Ministers say the impacts fund and its fees are yet to be worked out but would be designed to ease pressures caused by the movement of people.Ministers say the impacts fund and its fees are yet to be worked out but would be designed to ease pressures caused by the movement of people.
    Press reports suggest it would raise £15m a year.Press reports suggest it would raise £15m a year.
    The system could see migrants with children or elderly relatives expected to pay higher application fees. Migrants would find their route to citizenship and full access to benefits, such as higher education, accelerated if they can prove they are "active" citizens.The system could see migrants with children or elderly relatives expected to pay higher application fees. Migrants would find their route to citizenship and full access to benefits, such as higher education, accelerated if they can prove they are "active" citizens.
    This would include proof of charity work, involvement in the local community and letters from referees.This would include proof of charity work, involvement in the local community and letters from referees.
    At the same time, those who break the law would find the process far harder - or would be barred completely from becoming British.At the same time, those who break the law would find the process far harder - or would be barred completely from becoming British.
    'Gimmick''Gimmick'
    The Home Office said that it would still be possible for someone to be permanently resident as a foreign national in the UK - but it would be preferable for them to seek citizenship because of the benefits it would bring.The Home Office said that it would still be possible for someone to be permanently resident as a foreign national in the UK - but it would be preferable for them to seek citizenship because of the benefits it would bring.
    "Our new deal for citizenship is clear and fair," said Ms Smith."Our new deal for citizenship is clear and fair," said Ms Smith.
    "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 our community."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 our community.
    There is much less to this Green Paper than meets the eye Damian GreenShadow immigration ministerThere is much less to this Green Paper than meets the eye Damian GreenShadow immigration minister
    "This is a country of liberty and tolerance, opportunity and diversity. 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 economy.""This is a country of liberty and tolerance, opportunity and diversity. 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 economy."
    But the Conservatives said the proposals were a "gimmick" and called for an annual limit on immigration instead.But the Conservatives said the proposals were a "gimmick" and called for an annual limit on immigration instead.
    Shadow immigration minister Damian Green said: "There is much less to this Green Paper than meets the eye." Shadow home secretary David Davis called it "a complicated, expensive, bureaucratic set of mechanisms to deal with the adverse consequences of out of control immigration".
    He said the £15m it was proposing to raise was a "drop in the ocean" compared to the extra expense for schools, hospitals and the police caused by immigration. "The sensible approach is very simple. Deal with the original cause of the problem. Put a limit on the level of immigration. Bring it down to manageable levels. It is simpler, it is cheaper, and it is better for Britain.
    He said the only answer was to place an annual limit on migration - but backed plans to insist on migrants learning English to gain citizenship. saying it was essential "to play a full part in modern Britain". "And it will preserve Britain's excellent history of good community relations that is being put at risk by an immigration policy that is both incompetent and irresponsible."