NEW LAW TO TIGHTEN BORDER CONTROL AND IMMIGRATION

 05 October 2009
Stafford’s MP David Kidney is reporting to constituents the passage of the new Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009. It is a new law passed by Parliament to strengthen the protection of the UK’s borders and implement “earned Citizenship”.

David Kidney says many constituents raise these issues with him and the new law is a direct response to the concerns and suggestions that citizens all over the country have raised with their MPs:

“The Act provides for a unified immigration and customs force at our borders, with the powers to carry out customs and immigration checks. It means a single agency will tackle both illegal immigration and the smuggling of people, drugs and weapons. This will help to ensure that the UK continues to have one of the strongest borders in the world.

“As a direct result of the Act, on 5 August approximately 4,500 HM Revenue & Customs staff formally transferred to the agency. This represents a major advance in the development of the UK Border Agency.

“The Earned Citizenship provisions start in July 2011. The Points Based Test for Citizenship will mean that applicants will build up points for attributes such as economic contribution, skills and English language proficiency. So progress to citizenship is linked to an ability to help meet our country’s future needs. This testing approach will also build in arrangements to refuse or delay citizenship for those breaking the law or committing anti-social behaviour.

“Constituents also complain to me about the complexities of our immigration law and practices so I am pleased that in the autumn this year discussions will start on plans to simplify immigration law.”

 the UK Border Agency’s business Plan can be found at:
www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/aboutus/ourwork