New citizenship consultation paper Tuesday, August 4, 2009 - 10:24

The Home Office's new consultation on citizenship - Earning the Right to Stay: A new points test for citizenship - outlines proposals that will make it harder for an individual to earn British citizenship. Proposals recommend that the decision should depend on whether an applicant has successfully integrated with British life and values and whether they possess the skills needed for the UK economy.

NIACE is concerned by the practicability of the proposals, particularly with the plans to add a second English language test and a further - more complex - citizenship test on knowledge of British history and politics, as requirements for obtaining citizenship.

Chris Taylor, ESOL Programme Director at NIACE, said:

"ESOL supply is already outstripped by demand with even settled citizens having difficulty accessing courses. Imposing additional language demands on new applicants without first securing that the supply of ESOL courses is available works against the Government's goals for improving community cohesion and active citizenship."

"NIACE will submit a full response to the consultation before its closing date - 26th of October 2009 - and encourages other organisations and groups working with migrants to do so and to share analysis and responses."