I tabled an amendment to the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, New Clause 37, which aimed to stop children being priced out of citizenship in the country they call home. The UK child citizenship fee remains one of the highest in Europe: £1,214. Many kids who have British citizenship rights miss out because their families cannot afford the fee. Like the Windrush Generation, many end up facing barriers in later life, subject to immigration rules that were never intended for them.
These children are as British as anyone. Yet through no fault of their own, many go on to experience difficulties in later life: particularly when it comes to accessing student finance, renting a home and travelling. My amendment would have ensured citizenship for children born in the UK whose parents had leave to enter the UK but were not citizens at the time of the birth by waiving the registration fee. Likewise for those who had settled status at the time of their birth. I was pleased to have cross-party support from a range of MPs on this issue. It’s time to end this anomaly, waive the fee for kids born in this country and ensure no child is priced out of citizenship.
Whilst the government ultimately did not support my amendment, I was pleased to secure commitments from ministers to work with me to reduce the financial burden facing families, in consultation with those affected. I will be holding them to this.