Chris Hedges Assistant Director Social Policy Unit Home Office

1. Chris Hedges Assistant Director Social Policy Unit Home Office

2. OBJECTIVES OF SESSION • Update on the “Life in the UK Advisory Group” final report • The policy aims • The central strategy for integration • What next?

3. BACKGROUND • The customers • The application process • Legislation • Policy aims

4. CUSTOMERS • 124,315 applications granted in 2003 • 94,000 adults, 30,000 children • Refusals up 26% - mainly on residence grounds • Main nationalities are Pakistan (10%), India (9%), Somalia (7%). EU less than 1% • 61% of foreign born people in UK are British Citizens

5. REFUGEES ASYLUM SEEKERS INDEFINITE LEAVE TO REMAIN BRITISH CITIZENSHIP SPOUSES WORK PERMIT HOLDERS 5 YEARS RESIDENCE (3 YEARS FOR SPOUSES) ROUTES TO NATURALISATION

6. APPLICANTS • Very varied group of people - different backgrounds: refugees, spouses, workers who have settled in UK - not necessarily recent immigrants - all ages and nationalities - different motives

7. THE NATIONALITY PROCESS • Application made to Home Office • Applications considered against criteria • Residence (5 years, 3 for spouses) • Sufficient knowledge of English • Good character

8. THE NATIONALITY, IMMIGRATION AND ASYLUM ACT 2002 • Made a number of changes to the British Nationality Act 1981, including: • Clause 1: Testing of language and citizenship • Clause 2: Extension of language requirement to spouses • Clause 3: Introduction of citizenship ceremonies and new oath and pledge

9. EFFECTS OF LEGISLATION • Since 28 July 2004 applicants have to supply a certificate of proficiency in language • Later in 2005 - supplemented by proof of knowledge of UK society • This requirement also applies to spouses of British citizens • Process culminates in a ceremony

10. POLICY AIMS • Part of a wider citizenship agenda • Practical help in integrating fully into UK society • Greater sense of belonging • Enhancing the significance of acquiring British Citizenship • Encouraging community cohesion • Valuing diversity

11. “LIFE IN THE UK GROUP” - KEY RECOMMENDATIONS • English classes for naturalisation applicants and people with a legitimate route to settlement • Classes will have a “civic content” • Programmes will have a practical focus • “Light touch” testing • Separate citizenship test for people with existing language skills

12. IMPLICATIONS FOR GOVERNMENT • Number of Government Departments (HO, DfES, DWP) and devolved administrations involved. • Programmes will be very expensive; need to identify and prioritise funding • Pan-European issue; other countries very interested in what UK is doing. • EU National Integration Contact Points Network; - EU funding?

13. BENEFITS OF MIGRATION • Clear benefits to UK economy in context of aging population • Skills shortages in key sectors - 600,000 vacancies in UK • Some might need to be filled by migrants • Treasury estimate for long term growth in UK economy - increase from 2.5% to 2.75% per annum, in large part due to migration • Reduction in unrest and improved community cohesion

14. A glimpse into the future…. • IND 5 year strategy • Aspirational at this stage; much detailed work needed • Introduces concept of language and citizenship testing before settlement • Need to think through implications: • levels • learner needs • resources • priorities