Overview

This bill simplifies the process for members and former members of the UK armed forces to apply for British citizenship through naturalisation. It amends existing legislation to allow the Secretary of State to waive the usual residency requirement in specific circumstances.

Description

The Citizenship (Armed Forces) Bill modifies the British Nationality Act 1981 and the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009. Specifically, it amends Schedule 1 of the 1981 Act, relating to naturalisation requirements. A new sub-paragraph is added to allow the Secretary of State to disregard the usual requirement for applicants to have been in the UK for a continuous period before applying for citizenship if the applicant is a serving or former member of the armed forces and it is deemed appropriate in the circumstances of the specific case. This exception applies only if the Secretary of State deems it fit in the particular circumstances of the application.

Government Spending

The bill's financial implications are not explicitly stated in the provided text. The impact on government spending is likely to be minimal, potentially involving increased administrative costs related to processing applications under the new provision. No specific figures are available.

Groups Affected

• Members and former members of the UK armed forces: This bill directly affects them by potentially easing the pathway to British citizenship. It is intended to help those who may have served abroad and not met the usual residency requirements.
• The Home Office/Secretary of State: The bill places additional responsibilities and discretionary power on the Secretary of State to assess individual cases and determine if exceptions to the residency requirement should be granted.
• Applicants for British citizenship: The bill may increase applications for citizenship due to potential relaxation of the residency rules. This could increase processing workloads on the Home Office.

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