British Nationality: Young People

(asked on 4th July 2018) - View Source

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the British Nationality Act 1981, what steps his Department has taken to ensure that the guidance it issues on good character for young persons meets its statutory responsibilities in relation to (a) safeguarding and (b) making the best interests of the child a primary consideration in decisions; and if he will make statement.


Answered by
Caroline Nokes Portrait
Caroline Nokes
This question was answered on 9th July 2018

The good character test for British citizenship applies to those aged 10 and over, in line with the age of criminal responsibility. Decisions on citizenship applications from minors are made taking into account the Home Office’s statutory obligations under Section 55 of the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009 to have due regard to the best interests of the child.

Guidance for caseworkers considering applications for British citizenship is publicly available on Gov.uk. This is in the process of being updated to clarify a number of issues, including application of the good character requirement for young persons.

Figures relating to citizenship applications, including decisions to refuse where the applicant is found to not be of good character, are included in the latest Home Office quarterly migration statistics published on 24 May and available on Gov.uk.

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