Earned Citizenship and the Role of Volunteering
Long awaited and much debated reforms to UK immigration policy are taking place. These new changes will not only affect rules surrounding entry clearance for new migrants but will also apply to those already here and wishing to apply for citizenship. In addition to the current ‘Life in the UK’ test, a new tiered points system will be implemented alongside an option for fast-tracking citizenship applications for volunteer work undertaken. Once an applicant becomes a probationary citizen they will be able to upgrade to full citizenship after one or three years. During this period there will be an option for probationary citizens to speed up their journey to full citizenship through active participation in the volunteer sector. An applicant’s level of active citizenship during this time can determine how long they will have to wait to progress to the final stage. While it will not be mandatory for migrants to volunteer, this fast-track option will provide a strong incentive for community involvement. This aspect of earned citizenship aims to build community cohesion and facilitate migrant integration. While volunteering will provide migrants with new skills and opportunities, it is also expected to improve public perception of migrants’ contribution to society.
At first glance such a scheme appears to be a good idea. Better community relations, migrants gaining new skills, a sense of inclusion and, of course, the addition of able bodies to good causes, are all worthy benefits. But will such a policy be practical? A briefing by Volunteering England in March 2009, while not opposed to the idea in principle, outlines some potential concerns about the scheme.
Increased interest in volunteering by a large number of citizenship applicants could place excessive strain on the resources and responsibilities of all groups and organisations involved. From the initial stages of advertising and explaining the policy to both applicants and host organisations to the final stage of checking and verifying an applicant’s contribution, participating organisations would require additional support and funding. Thorough and consistent training on all aspects of the scheme would also be necessary to ensure that applicants, host organisations, and referees are given clear guidelines in order to remove any potential cause for misunderstanding. As applicants and referees would be liable to a fine or prison sentence should they make false statements about active citizenship, any ambiguities around such guidelines could be off-putting for referees and host organisations. Such charities could end up using valuable resources by seeking legal advice if unclear about the scheme and, again, could be discouraged. Extra costs may also be incurred through the need to support applicants with additional needs, such as those with low levels of English literacy and disabilities.
Further to the burden of cost and extra administration, vetting and CRB disclosures could prove difficult as some applicants will not be able to provide the required identity documentation. In any case, CRB disclosures would only provide information about an individual’s criminal record in the UK and host organisations working with vulnerable people could have problems determining an applicant’s suitability.
Meanwhile any minimum time requirements, as prescribed by the Home Office, could cause citizenship applicants to take time out of paid employment in order to volunteer. This, combined with limited funds available for volunteer expenses, could lead to such individuals becoming financially worse off for their contributions. Volunteer opportunities may also end up being created to meet the needs of applicants, i.e. minimum time requirements, rather than creating roles that would best benefit the community.
What are your views on the role of volunteering in earned citizenship? Is it a good idea?
Do you think people will feel forced to volunteer? Will host organisations feel put upon?
Will the benefits far outweigh the costs?
Please share your views.
For more information see the following links.
Volunteering England’s briefing on Borders, Immigration and Citizenship Bill, March 2009
Home Office UK Border Agency’s Tough New Points System for Earning Citizenship, August 2009
At our Volunteer Centre we already struggle to find volunteering opportunities for some groups; particulary asylum seekers. It's brilliant to encourage migrants to volunteer but who is goint to support them? It is going to put even more strain on our Centre
I'm in two minds. On the one hand I think it's a great way to encourage integration and to enable new arrivals to understand and appreciate the communities in which they are going to be living. But on the other, knowing how often the system can be manipulated, I can see many people being made to volunteer and that would defeat the whole object; not to mention the additional pressure that will be placed on volunteering organisaiotns to source the opportunities to volunteer.
It's hard enough sayng no to groups of corporate employees who want a jolly day out and a feel good factor in time for Christmas, I can see a similar situaiton developing here. I expect the government may make some new funds available, but as we've seen with the DWP scheme this does not always have the desired impact.
The trouble is that this government's record on immigration leads me to view every proposal with suspicion. I don't think integration is something that can be coerced. It needs to be encouraged. Make as many opportunities available as possible, but the moment that it's compulsory then the whole point is lost.