'Tough' citizenship test outlined

[BlueCoyote 0]

or is it too late?

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/8180749.stm

 

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.

 

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".

 

'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.

 

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 Green

Shadow 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.

 

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.

 

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."

 

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.

 

"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.

 

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."