My Take | Hongkongers in the UK deserve to be supported, not let down
The British government should clarify the position of BN(O) visa holders and exclude them from the impact of a campaign to cut immigration
The importance of immigration to Britain’s history, culture, society and economy was recognised in a landmark policy document this month signalling a new approach.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “British citizens draw on heritage from all over the world and that has made us the country we are today.” She is right about that. But the white paper envisages a dramatic reduction in arrivals.
It sets out new measures that have understandably sparked uncertainty and concern among the more than 163,000 Hong Kong people with British National (Overseas) passports who have taken advantage of a special visa scheme introduced in 2021.
The change in policy will see the period immigrants need to spend in the UK before securing permanent resident status increased from five years to 10. English language tests are to be required for those wishing to settle and, for the first time, their adult dependents.
It is not clear whether any of these and other restrictive new policies unveiled will apply to the Hongkongers.
The government sought to justify the measures by highlighting an unprecedented surge in net immigration, peaking at 906,000 in the year to June 2023, and warning of the impact on public services, jobs and social integration.