British citizens and people applying for citizenship must be prepared to accept a range of duties and responsibilities as well as rights, the PM has said.Speaking to the cross-party Liaison Committee in Parliament, Mr Brown said he believed it would be possible to draw up a list of British rights and responsibilities - a process currently being explored by the Ministry of Justice. People becoming British citizens had a duty to accept those responsibilities and to understand British values and traditions, he said.
The PM said:
“Becoming a citizen is an important act, because [people becoming citizens] are getting rights and in return for that they have to accept responsibilities. If someone comes to our country and is applying for citizenship or permanent residence they have also got to accept responsibilities.
“You should be able to speak the English language, you should be able to understand and speak about British cultural traditions.”
Asked about immigration the Prime Minister said that a points system would be introduced to match applicants with skills shortages. Many recent arrivals from Eastern Europe were contributing to the economy and paying taxes, he added.
More information on the cross-party Liaison Committee, including footage of today’s proceedings, can be found here.
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