Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Citizenship policy inquiry launched by thinktank British Future

by LAUREN CODLING

MIGRANT groups have been urged to take part in an inquiry launched on Tuesday (3) which is set to explore citizenship policy in the UK.


The launch saw experts call for migrants’ organisations, academics and migrants to provide an insight into their experiences and recommendations on citizenship.

Chaired by Alberto Costa MP and coordinated by thinktank British Future, the independent inquiry will aim to look at current policies and the application of nationality law; identify and set out practical proposals for citizenship reform capable of securing cross-party support; and spark a greater debate about citizenship policies.

The full report is set to be published in January 2020. Addressing guests in central London, British Future spoke of its efforts to gather opinion on the current policies.

In order to collect evidence, the thinktank recently visited Southampton to discuss the inquiry with British-born citizens and those who had recently obtained citizenship.

At the launch, British Future’s Jill Rutter confirmed there were further plans to visit Edinburgh in October to conduct further research on citizenship. A community event in Birmingham is also expected to feed into the inquiry.

“The potential benefits of citizenship for integration have yet to be fully realised,” Rutter said. Conservative politician Costa, who is of Italian descent, added his thoughts on the meaning behind being British.

“To me today being British isn’t about carrying a passport,” he said. “It is respect for rule of law developed over centuries.”

Those supporting the inquiry will be asked to look at several areas, including questions relating to the eligibility criteria that applicants should fulfil before becoming citizens; what the UK’s citizenship policy should aim to achieve and which changes to policy should be prioritised.

The inquiry comes weeks before the UK is set to leave the EU on October 31. The government introduced an EU Settlement Scheme earlier this year, which has asked non-British EU citizens to apply if they wish to be eligible to continue to reside in the UK after June 2021.

The deadline for submissions is October 18. See https://www.british future.org/articles/citizenshipinquiry/ for more

More For You

Police Recover £1M Stolen Jewellery in Hounslow, Owners Sought

The jewellery was largely taken from London’s South Asian community in Hounslow between 2023 and 2024. (Photo: Met Police)

Stolen jewellery worth £1m recovered in Hounslow, police seek owners

POLICE are seeking to reunite stolen jewellery worth over £1 million with its rightful owners after recovering the items during a proactive operation across London and the home counties.

The recovered collection includes identifiable pieces such as a World War One officer’s Rolex watch, a gold locket containing old pictures, an engraved gold ring, and an engraved gold pocket watch from Harlow Bros Ltd.

Keep ReadingShow less
british-muslims

The initiative aims to track incidents, raise awareness of hate crime, and provide better victim support.

iStock)

Government announces fund to combat anti-Muslim hate

THE UK government has announced a new fund to monitor anti-Muslim hate and support victims, with applications opening on 7 April.

The initiative aims to track incidents, raise awareness of hate crime, and provide better victim support.

Keep ReadingShow less
Probe launched over racist broadcast at Kent asylum centre

FILE PHOTO: Entrance of Manston short-term holding centre for migrants, near Ramsgate in southeast England. (Photo by BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images)

Probe launched over racist broadcast at Kent asylum centre

AUTHORITIES have launched an investigation following reports that a racist message was broadcast over portable radios at an asylum processing centre in Kent.

The incident occurred at the Manston site, where small boat arrivals are processed by the Home Office and its contractor, Mitie, reported The Guardian.

Keep ReadingShow less
Protest against dog crackdown ahead of Modi's Sri Lanka visit

Sri Lankan animal rights activists take part in a demonstration in Colombo on April 3, 2025, to protest the round-up of stray dogs a day ahead of a visit by Narendra Modi. (Photo by ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP via Getty Images)

Protest against dog crackdown ahead of Modi's Sri Lanka visit

SRI LANKAN animal rights activists marched on Thursday (3) to protest the round-up of stray dogs a day ahead of a visit by Indian prime minister Narendra Modi.

Authorities in Colombo and the Buddhist pilgrim city of Anuradhapura have reportedly deployed dog catchers to impound hounds ahead of Modi's visit, which begins on Friday (4).

Keep ReadingShow less
modi-trump-getty

Donald Trump and Narendra Modi hold a joint press conference in the East Room at the White House on February 13, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

Explained: Impact of US tariffs on Indian exports

The United States has announced a 27 per cent reciprocal tariff on Indian goods entering the American market.

Industry experts have said these duties will pose challenges for Indian exports, though India's position remains more favourable than some of its competitors.

Keep ReadingShow less