Becoming one of us: Reforming the UK’s citizenship system for a competitive, post-Brexit world

The British citizenship system has lain unreformed for decades, and the Brexit vote in June 2016 has cast the status and security of the 3 million EU citizens living here into doubt. This report reviews current policy, and sets out the immediate reforms required to reshape a fairer, globally competitive citizenship system that would best serve Britain's interests.

Amongst the recommendations outlined in the report are:

To safeguard the future of EU citizens living in Britain, and to send a clear message that Britain wants to integrate Europeans who have made their lives here, we recommend that the government takes the following immediate actions.

+ Grant indefinite leave to remain to all EU citizens resident in Britain.
+ Offer automatic British citizenship to all European children who have been educated in Britain.
+ Waive the £1,200 fee for British citizenship for all EU citizens who have been living here for more than five years.
+ Offer automatic British citizenship to all Europeans working in the National Health Service, to recognise the importance of their contribution and safeguard public health.

• Primary Source

ESO: In Focus: Brexit - The United Kingdom and the European Union http://www.europeansources.info/record/brexit-the-united-kingdom-and-the-european-union/

ESO: Background information: New Inquiry to examine how Government can protect rights of EU citizens in UK http://www.europeansources.info/record/new-inquiry-to-examine-how-government-can-protect-rights-of-eu-citizens-in-uk/

ESO: Background information: How do EU people in the UK feel about Brexit? [The EU Referendum, 23 June 2016. The United Kingdom and the European Union. The results. Reaction of EU Citizens in the UK] http://www.europeansources.info/record/how-do-eu-people-in-the-uk-feel-about-brexit-the-eu-referendum-23-june-2016-the-united-kingdom-and-the-european-union-the-results-reaction-of-eu-citizens-in-the-uk/

The Guardian, 25.08.16: NHS needs EU employees to avoid collapse, says thinktank https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/aug/25/nhs-needs-eu-employees-to-avoid-collapse-says-thinktank

BMA: News, 31.08.16: Retention of EU nationals of ‘critical’ importance https://www.bma.org.uk/news/2016/august/retention-of-eu-nationals-of-critical-importance

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