Tories: Foreign brides must speak English
Tories call for ban on under-21 brides
Friday, 25, May 2007 12:00
The Conservatives have called for new measures to restrict the entry of foreign spouses to the UK.
The Tories claim the proposals would "protect" young brides and ensure spouses integrate into British society, but others have accused the party of reverting to type.
Shadow immigration secretary Damian Green said anyone joining a partner in the UK should be over 21 years old and be able to speak a basic level of English.
The Conservatives also call for a code of conduct for Home Office officials and entry clearance officers, recommending spouses and sponsors are interviewed separately.
Mr Green said: "Too many young women are brought to England to marry when they cannot possibly integrate with our society.
"They need better protection. It is not fair on them, and it is not good for their integration into this country.
"Families where English is not spoken are much more likely to have children who struggle at school, and adults who cannot engage in work."
The Conservatives claim their policies would close loopholes ignored by the Labour government.
They are considering calling for further restrictions, including a citizenship test for spouses, prerequisite declaration of intention to marry abroad and a minimum waiting period between divorcing one spouse and bring another into the UK.
Mr Green said: "We are proposing practical measures which will mean that only adults can come to this country to be married, and only those whose command of English allows them to play a full part in British life will be able to come to stay."
He claimed Labour have done nothing to prevent abuses so far, although immigration minister Liam Byrne claimed everything the Tories are advocating had been considered by the Home Office.
In March, Mr Byrne published proposals to tighten the rules on marriage visas, which would include raising the minimum age of sponsors and spouses to 21 and an English language test on entry.
He said: "I am very pleased that others are catching up with our ideas, set out fully in the government's borders and immigration strategy.
"I welcome endorsement from any quarter. We are determined to tackle abuse of the rules and the issue of forced marriage."