Posted on Tuesday 23rd February 2010 in News

The Home Secretary Alan Johnson has recently confirmed that the government will implement plans to introduce a points test by 2011 for those who wish to earn British citizenship.

This follows the results of a public consultation on the proposals, the results of which show that around 75% of the public polled during the consultation are in favour of the planned points scheme for citizenship.

Mr Johnson stated 'We have already made fundamental changes to the immigration system to control migration in a way that is firm, and has a positive impact on our work force and economy.

'From 2011 we will put the mechanisms in place that will ensure that people who are allowed to become citizens have earned their right to stay here.

'We will do this using a points test, giving us the ability to take clear, enforceable decisions about who should be allowed to stay permanently, with the flexibility to raise or lower the threshold for citizenship, depending on the current interests of the country and economy.'

Under the new rules, anyone wishing to become a permanent UK resident will have to earn their right to citizenship. The government's view is that the changes will restrict the number of economic migrants granted citizenship, for example, by limiting citizenship to those who have the qualifications or skills that the economy needs, or who are living in parts of the country where there are specific skills shortages.  Those applicants will also have to demonstrate knowledge of English to a specific standard in order for their application to be successful.

Back