Overview

This bill grants British citizenship to Irish citizens who have resided in the UK for five years, meeting specific residency requirements and not violating UK immigration laws. The bill amends the British Nationality Act 1981 to achieve this.

Description

The British Nationality (Irish Citizens) Bill amends the British Nationality Act 1981 to create a new pathway to British citizenship for Irish citizens. To qualify, applicants must:

• Be an Irish citizen.
• Have been in the UK for five years prior to application.
• Have been absent from the UK for no more than 450 days total in those five years and no more than 90 days in the final 12 months before application.
• Not have been in the UK in breach of immigration laws during those five years.

The Secretary of State retains the discretion to grant citizenship even if an applicant does not strictly meet these criteria in exceptional circumstances. The bill also incorporates relevant sections from the Illegal Migration Act 2023, restricting eligibility for citizenship under certain conditions.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't specify direct government spending figures. The costs will likely relate to administrative processes for applications and potential increases in public services due to an expanded citizenry. No figures are currently available.

Groups Affected

• Irish citizens residing in the UK: This bill directly impacts Irish citizens who meet the residency requirements, offering them a path to British citizenship.
• UK Government: The bill creates administrative responsibilities for processing citizenship applications and managing related issues.
• Public services: An increase in the number of British citizens may lead to changes in the demand for public services such as healthcare and education.

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