More People Become UK Citizens as More Brits Leave Shores
21/05/2008 by Tamar Blieden
As the announcement of a record number of immigrants becoming British citizens receives harsh criticism from opposition parties; the fact that locals are in fact leaving UK shores in droves has also become a core national debate.
The UK has recently amended their immigration laws to make it more difficult for foreigners to migrate. However despite the introduction of the strict point based tier 1-5 system, over 164 000 foreigners became citizens last year.
These new citizens mostly from Asia and Africa, namely India, Afghanistan, Pakistan and South Africa come to Briton seeking the new opportunities that Britain and its powerful Pound holds. But as foreigners flood into Britain, so citizens are swarming out. In 2006 as many of 400 000 people left Britain, with half of these being British citizens.
Global Visas (www.globalvisas.com), international immigration and visa specialists, deal with people leaving and entering the UK on a daily basis, "It is clear that Britain is a popular destination for foreigners but also a popular place to leave," says Bryan Palmer, the London office manager.
These numbers have been lambasted by the Tories, who feel that this reflects badly on the UK's immigration policies. For them it shows how easy it is for foreigners to enter Britain. This is highlighted by the government even giving Muktar Ibrahim Said citizenship. Said was a ringleader in the July 21 terrorism plot. "This shows why it is essential our border controls are tightened," says Damien Green, the Tory Immigration Spokesman.
It is in response to this kind of debate that the government is upping their fight against easy and illegal immigration. This is proven by the amount of people removed from the country on the grounds of illegal status rising by as much as 12%. But still people are coming in with ease. Speedier decision making has been given as the reason for more immigrants coming in as citizens.
The UK government have for a long time attempted to attract highly skilled foreigners, fiercely boycotting illegal immigration. "People in Britain welcome legal migrants who work hard and play by the rules," says Immigration Minister Liam Byrne.
Many of those who have been rejected in the past were because they failed the highly controversial "Britishness" test. This test was introduced in 2005 and resulted in a decline of immigrants becoming citizens in 2006, but today this is not lowering numbers.
Therefore it is clear that these new rules are not stopping people from coming to the UK and becoming citizens. However on the other hand the question needs to be asked, why so many Britons are leaving their homeland.
The UK therefore has been put in a somewhat difficult position. Maintaining a high level of immigrant is essential, however a growth in numbers is criticised. While keeping local citizens at home is also elevated as key, but this too is not happening.
Almost one third of those British emigrants left for Australia and New Zealand, whereas a quarter opted for Spain and France for their new life. The weather, safety and lower crime levels were rated as one of the top reasons where Brits decide to live.
As people come in, people leave and it is the desire of both opposition and government to stop this happening but a solution to these two negatives remains complex.
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