Immigrants should only be able to apply for British citizenship after being in the UK for 15 years rather than the current six, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has said.
Making one of her first policy announcements since becoming leader, Badenoch also said indefinite leave to remain – which paves the way for citizenship – should not be granted to those who have criminal records or who had claimed benefits or social housing.
Speaking to the BBC, she said citizenship was a privilege, not just a right and should be for those with a “meaningful connection to the UK”.
Labour minister Angela Eagle said “after 14 years of shameful Tory failure no one will take seriously anything they claim”.
Obtaining indefinite leave to remain (ILR) gives people the right to live, work and study in the UK.
It is usually possible for someone to apply for ILR if they have worked in the UK for five years, although it can be two or three years if they came to UK on particular visas., external
A person can currently apply for British citizenship, 12 months after they have been granted indefinite leave to remain.
The Conservatives say the period before someone can apply for ILR should be extended from five to 10 years and people should then have to wait a further five years before seeking citizenship.
The party wants the government to adopt the changes, backdated to 2021, by amending its Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill due to be debated in Parliament next week.
