BBC NEWS | UK | UK Politics | At-a-glance: Citizenship ideas

BBC NEWS / UK POLITICS
Graphics Version BBC Sport Home

Tuesday, 11 March 2008, 12:41 GMT

At-a-glance: Citizenship ideas

Ex-attorney general Lord Goldsmith has published his review of British citizenship. Here are some of the key suggestions in his report:

A "small" council tax discount for people who complete volunteer work in the community, like organising neighbourhood recycling projects, helping children to learn to read in schools or setting up a residents' association

Reduction in university tuition fees and student loans for university undergraduates who carry out volunteer work

Extending citizenship ceremonies to all young people, with the possibility of incorporating the oath of allegiance to the Queen and the pledge of commitment to the UK

A British national day by 2012, to coincide with the Olympics and what will be the Queen's Diamond Jubilee

Reform or scrapping of Britain's old Treason laws

A review of the current ban on asylum seekers taking paid jobs

Reducing the fee charged for becoming a British citizen from £655, with a larger discount for foreigners who apply as soon as they become eligible

Creation of a new National Citizens' Corps, whose members could provide advice to others on training and development in citizenship

Setting up a new "Deliberation Day" to be held before each General Election to encourage political debate and other events

A special citizenship ceremony to be hosted each year and possibly attended by the prime minister and a senior royal, to recognise "outstanding acts of volunteering"

The setting up of "Investors in Communities" - a title earned by businesses which allow staff paid time to carry out community work

Foreigners applying for citizenship should follow a new credits-based system under which they would earn points for various activities in the community. For instance, working in key jobs, like the NHS, could earn additional credits

E-mail this to a friend

Related to this story:
Should teenagers swear allegiance to the Queen? (11 Mar 08 | Have Your Say )
Proms not inclusive, says Hodge (04 Mar 08 | UK Politics )
British citizenship tests planned (20 Feb 08 | UK Politics )
National anthem lyric questioned (04 Dec 07 | UK Politics )
Attorney general to leave office (22 Jun 07 | UK Politics )
What does it mean to be British? (05 Jun 07 | UK )
UK citizenship 'earned by points' (05 Jun 07 | UK )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
Republic - the campaign for an elected head of state
Citizenship report in full
Ministry of Justice
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites