Press Release: Government’s new bill shakes up the route to citizenship

A bill to make newcomers to the UK earn the right to stay in the country, strengthen the border, and ensure the UK has a firm but fair immigration system was published in the UK Parliament on 15 January 2009. The bill will require all migrants to speak English and obey the law if they want to gain citizenship and stay permanently in Britain - while speeding up the path to citizenship for those who contribute to the community by being active citizens.

• Primary Source

United Kingdom: Home Office: UK Border Agency: News, 15.1.09 http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/new-bill-route-to-citizenship

BBC News, 15.1.09: Citizenship test plans published http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7829265.stm

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