Tougher immigration laws planned

From the archive, first published Wednesday 28th Mar 2007.

British people who travel overseas to marry could be barred from bringing in their partners unless they are learning to speak English, the Home Office has announced.

Home Office Minister Liam Byrne set out the tough new measures today as part of the clampdown on immigration.

Among his proposals was closing the loophole which means spouses are immune from laws banning other immigrants from settling permanently in Britain unless they pass an English test.

Keighley MP Ann Cryer has been campaigning for years to raise the age of sponsoring a partner to enter the country - and the proposals mean British people under the age of 21 will be barred from sponsoring a wife or husband for a marriage visa.

Community Cohesion minister Phil Woolas said: "This is part of a package to help people integrate and it will be welcomed by sensible people everywhere.

"Left wing MPs like Ann Cryer have long campaigned for these measures to help protect young people."

The change would mean, in practice, it will be harder for parents to arrange marriages for teenage daughters to men from overseas - another victory for the lobbying MP, who is on a parliamentary visit in India.

Shipley Conservative MP Philip Davies said: "This is fantastic, it is what Ann and I called for in the debate on Borders. It is very welcomed and the Government are listening to the argument that was made.

"Ann Cryer has been long campaigning for this and has worked hard. I am really pleased with the proposals."

The Government will also consider introducing a new bond system allowing British people to pay money guaranteeing the good behaviour of a relative from overseas.

For example, a British citizen could pay £1,000 to help a relative gain a visa to stay in the country for a period.

If the relative obeyed immigration laws and left the country when their visa expired, the money would be returned.

The details of this scheme will form part of a consultation process.

Mr Byrne also announced the UK will set up biometric border controls, testing iris prints and fingerprints, so that the identity of visitors to Britain can be confirmed before they have even left their own country.

He said: "The days when border control started at the white cliffs of Dover are over. Our immigration control needs to start well before people come anywhere near British shores."

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