UK to introduce ‘immigrant tax’

People seeking citizenship will have to pay higher charges to fund public services

LONDON: Britain is set to introduce a new tax on immigrants in a bid to make them contribute to the rising cost of public services. Immigrants will have to pay a special levy when they enter the UK and people who are deemed more of a burden on the state, such as elderly people needing regular medical attention, will face a higher tax.

According to the Daily Telegraph the tax could be set at 10% of the visa fee which for a usual £200 visa granted for a person staying in UK longer than six months is £20.

Britain expects to raise £15m a year from the move which was prompted by local councils warning the recent influx of immigrants was putting increasing strain on schools and hospitals.

The Daily Telegraph also reported that for the first time there will be three “bands” of citizenship to control the unrestricted immigration of recent years. Those hoping to become British will be accorded temporary resident status for five years.

They then become probationary citizens for a year, after which — if they pass a test — they have full British status. The test will state that migrants must be able to speak the English language before they can become British.

The proposals include citizenship credits for migrants doing voluntary work. However, points would be deducted for those breaking the law or behaving badly, meaning it would take longer to be eligible for a passport.