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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Immigrants 'to face higher fees' | Immigrants 'to face higher fees' |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Immigrants could be forced to pay higher visa charges to help fund public services, under plans reportedly being considered by the government. | Immigrants could be forced to pay higher visa charges to help fund public services, under plans reportedly being considered by the government. |
| A discussion paper on new terms for foreign nationals who want British citizenship will be published later. | A discussion paper on new terms for foreign nationals who want British citizenship will be published later. |
| The Green Paper is also expected to say that migrants should be able to speak English to gain citizenship. | The Green Paper is also expected to say that migrants should be able to speak English to gain citizenship. |
| But it was written off as a "gimmick" by the Tories who said there should be annual limit on immigration instead. | But it was written off as a "gimmick" by the Tories who said there should be annual limit on immigration instead. |
| The Home Office is refusing to comment on the contents of the Green Paper, which is thought to include plans to require immigrants to pay higher application fees to help fund the schools and hospitals they use. | The Home Office is refusing to comment on the contents of the Green Paper, which is thought to include plans to require immigrants to pay higher application fees to help fund the schools and hospitals they use. |
| According to The Guardian, potential immigrants will be asked to pay higher application fees if they have children or elderly relatives and therefore more likely to use public services. | According to The Guardian, potential immigrants will be asked to pay higher application fees if they have children or elderly relatives and therefore more likely to use public services. |
| It is also reported that those hoping to become British will be accorded temporary resident status for five years. | It is also reported that those hoping to become British will be accorded temporary resident status for five years. |
| 'Additional fees' | 'Additional fees' |
| They would then become probationary citizens for a year after which - if they pass a test - they would have full British status. | They would then become probationary citizens for a year after which - if they pass a test - they would have full British status. |
| There is much less to this Green Paper than meets the eye Damian GreenShadow immigration minister | There is much less to this Green Paper than meets the eye Damian GreenShadow immigration minister |
| Last year the UK Visas Agency raised £190m from 2.7 million applicants. | Last year the UK Visas Agency raised £190m from 2.7 million applicants. |
| The Daily Telegraph reported that the additional fees could be set at 10% of the cost of a visa, which would be an extra £20 on top of the typical £200 charge for those wishing to stay in the UK beyond six months. | The Daily Telegraph reported that the additional fees could be set at 10% of the cost of a visa, which would be an extra £20 on top of the typical £200 charge for those wishing to stay in the UK beyond six months. |
| Migrants arriving from EU countries would not pay, as they do not need a visa to live and work in the UK. | Migrants arriving from EU countries would not pay, as they do not need a visa to live and work in the UK. |
| 'Milch cow' | 'Milch cow' |
| Keith Best, chief executive of the Immigration Advisory Service, attacked the proposals as an unfair tax on migrants, many of whom, he said, were young men who did not use schools and hospitals. | Keith Best, chief executive of the Immigration Advisory Service, attacked the proposals as an unfair tax on migrants, many of whom, he said, were young men who did not use schools and hospitals. |
| "Unfortunately, migrants are being made the 'milch cow' to make up the shortfall in government finances," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. | "Unfortunately, migrants are being made the 'milch cow' to make up the shortfall in government finances," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. |
| But shadow immigration minister Damian Green, for the Conservatives, said the plans were a "gimmick". | But shadow immigration minister Damian Green, for the Conservatives, said the plans were a "gimmick". |
| HAVE YOUR SAYImmigrants should be able to speak English, have a trade and some funds behind them before they come to the UKTorianne Newton, ManchesterSend us your comments | |
| "There is much less to this Green Paper than meets the eye," he told Today. | "There is much less to this Green Paper than meets the eye," he told Today. |
| He said the £15m it was proposing to raise was a "drop in the ocean" compared to the extra expense for schools, hospitals and the police caused by immigration. | He said the £15m it was proposing to raise was a "drop in the ocean" compared to the extra expense for schools, hospitals and the police caused by immigration. |
| He said the only answer was to place an annual limit on migration - but backed plans to insist on migrants learning English to gain citizenship. saying it was essential "to play a full part in modern Britain". | He said the only answer was to place an annual limit on migration - but backed plans to insist on migrants learning English to gain citizenship. saying it was essential "to play a full part in modern Britain". |
| The Local Government Association is calling for a £250m fund for local authorities experiencing high rates of migration and more accurate statistics about where migrants are living. | |
| LGA chairman Simon Milton said migration benefited the UK's economy but added: "The problem is that the money that is being generated isn't necessarily finding its way back down to the local level." | |
| 'Earned citizenship' | 'Earned citizenship' |
| Prime Minister Gordon Brown is also due to give a speech on Wednesday about citizenship and the rights and responsibilities of those who come to the UK. | Prime Minister Gordon Brown is also due to give a speech on Wednesday about citizenship and the rights and responsibilities of those who come to the UK. |
| In a speech last year, before he became prime minister, he said immigrants should do community work to help them settle before they are granted UK citizenship. | In a speech last year, before he became prime minister, he said immigrants should do community work to help them settle before they are granted UK citizenship. |
| Among other suggestions by government ministers was the idea that migrants should "earn" British citizenship under a points-based system. | Among other suggestions by government ministers was the idea that migrants should "earn" British citizenship under a points-based system. |
| In a pamphlet for the Fabian Society last year, by the then Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly and immigration minister Liam Byrne, proposals included giving credit to migrants for doing voluntary work. | In a pamphlet for the Fabian Society last year, by the then Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly and immigration minister Liam Byrne, proposals included giving credit to migrants for doing voluntary work. |
| But they could be lost for offences like fly tipping, anti-social behaviour or dangerous driving, it was suggested. | But they could be lost for offences like fly tipping, anti-social behaviour or dangerous driving, it was suggested. |