New deal for foreign nationals seeking British citizenship

When I'm out and about in my constituency, a lot of people say to me that we need to address the issue of immigration.   Each year around 200 million people – that's the population of Brazil – move from one country to another, and like other countries the UK is affected by this movement.  

Some people say it’s nasty or racist to talk about immigration - but I think that’s wrong.  Immigration affects all British people of all backgrounds who have a legal right to be here and who pay for services through taxation.  

So I'm pleased that Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has set out a new deal for citizenship, proposing radical changes to the way newcomers are able to earn their stay in Britain.

I think most people are clear about the values we want newcomers to sign up to: 

o Speaking English
o Working hard and paying tax
o Obeying the law
o Getting involved and mixing in the community

I think that people in Birmingham want to know that our immigration system is being controlled in a way that works to the benefit of Britain.
 
And I believe we should talk openly about these issues, and be calm and sensible about the decisions we take.

That’s the British way of approaching problems and I’m determined that we tackle this matter together.  

Migration is good for us and our economy, especially if there are short-term shortages in certain sectors, like IT specialists, the care sector or plumbers.

But we also need to think about the effect on our local communities and public services.  

I'll be talking to people in my constituency about this important issue - so I'll make sure that the views of Birmingham are heard loud and clear by the Home Secretary and Ministers.

What's been announced?

• a three stage route to citizenship, including a new probationary period of citizenship, requiring new migrants to demonstrate their contribution to the UK at every stage or leave the country
• full access to benefits being delayed until migrants have completed the probationary period
• migrants having to improve their command of English to pass probation
• anyone committing an offence resulting in prison being barred from becoming a citizen
• those committing minor offences being required to spend longer on probation
• migrants from outside the EEA contributing to a new Transitional Impact of Migration Fund, providing extra financial help to communities experiencing change from migration
• migrants getting involved in their communities through volunteering being able to graduate to British citizenship more quickly

Action we are taking now………

2008 will see the government deliver a complete overhaul of the way we judge who can come to Britain and the way we police the system

There will be an Australian style points system so that only those we need can come to work and study

• Sweeping changes to our border protection
  A single border force to guard our ports and airports, with new police-like powers
  No visas issued without checking fingerprints
  New systems to count people in and out
• Big changes to prevent illegal immigration
  On the spot £10,000 fines for employers who employ illegal immigrants
  Compulsory id cards for foreign nationals
• Holding newcomers to account for their behaviour 
  Automatic deportation for serious rule-breakers
  Expanded detention estate to lift the numbers we deport
• A more compassionate system 
  Faster asylum decisions and special treatment for children and victims of trafficking

More fair trade for Birmingham

Fair Trade helps support 7 million people in the developing world.

Our shopping habits can make a real difference to the World’s poorest people. By buying food and presents from developing countries we will help grow their economies and reduce poverty.

So I'm calling on people in Birmingham to buy fair trade products during this Fairtrade Fortnight (25th February to 9th March).

I welcome the Government’s announcement of further support to the Fair Trade movement and I would urge you to match this commitment and buy more Fair Trade products.

Already the UK’s demand for African fruit and vegetables benefits a million farmers and their families.

By consumers and retailers acting together to promote and buy goods from developing countries we can make a real difference to the lives of some of the world’s poorest people.

Key facts on fair trade……

• Fair trade sales in the UK have been doubling every 2 years for the last eight year
• The total value of fair trade labelled products sold in the UK in 2006 was £284 million, up from £196 million in 2005, a growth of over 1,000 per cent since 1998.
• This growth is not restricted to the UK: the market for fair trade labelled products has been growing worldwide at 30-40% a year.

Employment at record high

Unemployment in the UK has continued to fall with 175,000 more people finding a job in the last three months.

The number of people in employment now stands at a record high, with almost 29.4 million people in work.

The latest figures also show that the number of people claiming jobseekers allowance has fallen below 800,000 for the first time since 1975.

These figures show we continue to have a strong and stable labour market with both record numbers in employment and the lowest claimant count for 32 years.