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New measures announced for immigrants seeking citizenship

20/02/2008

Home secretary Jacqui Smith has announced a series of new measures for immigrants who want to gain British citizenship and settle in the UK.

In a statement to the House of Commons today Ms Smith claimed immigrants would have to demonstrate a contribution to society above and beyond working and paying taxes.

The new measures include higher visa fees, as well as more English testing and proof on integration into local communities.

It would become easier for someone to gain citizenship if they engaged in activities that benefited local communities, while it would be considerably harder for anyone who broke the law.

Shadow home secretary David Davis however claimed the government was overcomplicating the issue.

The immigration plans were dismissed as a "gimmick" by the Tories.