British Nationality: Children

(asked on 9th June 2021) - View Source

Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to provide access to the records to any child to whom section 10A of the British Nationality Act, to be inserted on 1 July 2021, relates to; and what other steps they will take to ensure that a child is able to confirm their British citizenship acquired under this section, whether during childhood or adulthood.


Answered by
Baroness Williams of Trafford Portrait
Baroness Williams of Trafford
Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
This question was answered on 23rd June 2021

The British Nationality Act 1981 (Immigration Rules Appendix EU) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 will be an important means by which we protect the nationality rights of children who might otherwise be adversely affected in consequence of, or in connection with, the ending of free movement.

We will publish their introduction and operation using our usual methods such as gov.uk, but will also ask those who have been dealing with the EU Settlement Scheme more generally to raise awareness through the stakeholders they already engage with, including Local Authorities.

We anticipate many children who need to benefit from the provision will already have access to the requisite information to establish their nationality, not least as much of it will have been supplied by their parent as part of the EU Settlement Scheme application. Nonetheless, where there are evidence gaps, we are establishing processes to assist any applicants, and ideally without the need to ask for further information from the child or their parent. This includes the EUSS record itself given its importance to the operation of these provisions.

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