UK Home Office Announces New Point System for Emigrants

The Home Office has just unveiled a new points system for any emigrant that is seeking British citizenship. According to this new system, UK nationals will no longer be automatic after five years. This new system comes into affect as the government introduces a passport points scheme in response to the worsening recession.

This new controversial step is just the latest in the British government's crackdown on emigrants gaining British citizenship. Phil Woolas, who is the emigration minister, went on to outline details of how this new emigration system is set to work. Now each emigrant will be expected to earn his British passport by accumulating points for voluntary work. On top of this, emigrants will gain points for speaking English, having useful skills and, of course, paying taxes.

This new system, which makes emigrants earn points to become a British citizen instead of automatically receiving the right after so many years, will allow the government to raise or lower the hurdles as they see fit. This will all depend on things like political circumstances and economic problems like the ones that the UK is facing right now.

The government migration advisory committee has already been asked to review the system in light of the slump. They will also be considering whether some occupations previously considered to have a shortage should still be on the list.

Keith Best, from the Emigration Advisory Service, said that it was now very clear that the government was set to toughen up its stance. He has no doubt that the message went out loud and clear.