The leading national development agency for volunteering, Volunteering England, has called on the Government to release more detail about its proposal to accelerate citizenship for migrants who demonstrate active citizenship.
Volunteering England understands that the new Citizenship, Borders and Immigration Bill will propose that migrants who have demonstrated ‘active citizenship’ such as volunteering should be able to apply for citizenship or permanent residency sooner than those who do not.
Commenting on the proposal, Volunteering England Chief Executive Justin Davis Smith said:
“Volunteering England has noted with interest the Government’s proposal to link active citizenship such as volunteering to the right to UK citizenship.
“This proposal presents a range of potential opportunities and issues for volunteering that will hopefully become clearer once the Government releases more detail about the Bill and the practicalities of how the scheme would work.
“The proposal has the potential to enhance volunteering throughout England, providing migrants with a valuable opportunity to learn more about, and actively contribute to their local community.
“Careful and considered thought must be put into how the active citizenship provisions would work in practice – who will facilitate the active citizenship opportunities, who will monitor the volunteers’ commitment and how it will be funded.
“The proposal could also provide significant benefits to the many community and public service agencies throughout the country who rely on volunteers to help carry out their work.
“An increase in volunteering throughout the nation also has the potential to positively contribute to social cohesion and to help us build safer and stronger local communities.
“Volunteering England believes that volunteering should always be freely undertaken – there must always be the element of choice. People should never feel pressured to volunteer.
“We are encouraged by the Government’s recognition of the vital importance of volunteering to the community, and look forward to finding out more about the proposal to ensure it can be given the full consideration and debate it deserves.”
Notes to editors:
For more information or interviews please contact Karen Wah Day on 020 7520 8932 or email karen.wahday@volunteeringengland.org.
Volunteering England is the leading national development agency for volunteering in England and a membership organisation. It aims to improve the quality, quantity, impact and accessibility of volunteering throughout England. More details about Volunteering England and its work can be found at
www.volunteering.org.uk