Data obtained following a freedom of information request by Citizens UK indicates that about 46% of the 39,000 citizenship applications came from children who have Commonwealth connections, according to The Guardian.
Children of Indian origin accounted for nearly 5000 applications, followed by those from Nigeria and Pakistan and about 9,000 applications were made by children originally from EU countries. Figures also showed that nearly 900 classified as stateless were asked to pay Home Office immigration fee as part of their application to become British citizens. MPs and campaigners have criticised the charges levied on children.
Stuart Tannock, a sociology professor who works with Citizens UK, said to The Guardian that “access to British citizenship is vital if children are to play a full role in our society and reach their potential. These children have already met the strict criteria and have a legal right to British citizenship, but they cannot access their papers because of the unaffordable £1,012 fee.”
