Britain’s Citizenship System Comes Under Fire in London as Record Numbers Are Approved Amid Growing Political and Public Backlash

Britain’s citizenship system is in the spotlight again, and not for the right reasons.

New figures reveal that under the Labour government, the number of people granted British citizenship has soared to unprecedented levels.

In 2024 alone, nearly 270,000 applications were approved—enough to populate cities like Newcastle, Brighton, or Plymouth.

To put it into perspective, that’s double what was typical just ten years ago.

Growing Concerns Over Lax Vetting

Critics are now arguing that the process has become far too easy.

Campaigners say Britain hands out citizenship “like confetti,” with officials merely ticking boxes rather than thoroughly vetting applicants.

Robert Bates of the Centre for Migration Control described the system as a “soft touch” compared to other countries, suggesting that the value of a British passport has been cheapened.

Alp Mehmet from Migration Watch UK echoed this, noting that the process is so relaxed that it barely checks whether applicants have shown real commitment to Britain.

The Alaa Abd El-Fattah Controversy

Much of the recent debate has centered on Egyptian activist Alaa Abd El-Fattah.

Granted British citizenship in 2021 because his mother was born in the UK, El-Fattah’s case has caused uproar.

He had been jailed in Egypt and had previously posted vile comments online, including calls for violence and racist statements.

Despite this, Prime Minister Keir Starmer publicly welcomed him back to London on Boxing Day, triggering criticism from across the political spectrum.

Critics Question the System

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch called granting El-Fattah citizenship a mistake, saying it was “rubber-stamped” by officials without reaching the home secretary.

Other critics warned that allowing people with extreme anti-British views to gain citizenship poses serious risks.

Reform UK has proposed changing laws to make it easier to revoke citizenship for dual nationals with “vile and anti-British views.”

Who Can Become a British Citizen?

British citizenship isn’t automatic for everyone born in the UK.

Eligibility can come from several routes:

• Marriage to a British citizen

• Five years of residence with indefinite leave to remain

• Being an Irish citizen living in the UK for five years

• Having settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme

• Being born to a British parent

• Having another British nationality (e.g., connection to Gibraltar or Hong Kong)

• Being stateless or having renounced previous citizenship

Applicants must also meet certain criteria, including paying a £1,735 fee, passing the Life in the UK test, demonstrating English (or Welsh/Scottish Gaelic) proficiency, proving “good character,” and attending a citizenship ceremony.

Citizenship Through Naturalisation

Most grants of citizenship come via naturalisation, typically after five years of lawful residence plus one year of permanent residency.

This means spikes in naturalisation often reflect immigration patterns from years earlier.

Once granted, citizens can live and work freely in the UK, apply for passports, vote, and enjoy all the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.

Lax Checks Draw Fire

The Home Office has previously admitted that citizenship has sometimes been granted to illegal immigrants and foreign criminals without thorough checks.

Some cases even involved applicants with serious criminal records abroad.

Such examples have intensified criticism of the current system, especially in light of high-profile cases like El-Fattah.

Legal Limitations and Human Rights

El-Fattah’s citizenship was complicated by European human rights laws.

A Supreme Court ruling meant the Home Office could not block his application despite his problematic history.

This legal framework was influenced by a case involving an American murderer, which led to changes in how “good character” is assessed for applicants claiming citizenship through maternal lineage.

Proposed Reforms

In response to growing concerns, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has proposed extending the time required for migrants to gain settled status, a prerequisite for citizenship.

The plan would double the minimum residence period from five to ten years and impose stricter requirements for work and contributions to society.

Illegal migrants or those claiming benefits could face significantly longer waits.

The Debate Continues

As Britain grapples with record citizenship numbers, the controversy over El-Fattah has highlighted broader questions about the country’s immigration and naturalisation system.

For the government, it’s a delicate balancing act: respecting legal obligations while reassuring the public that citizenship is earned, not simply handed out.

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