Seema Malhotra

I thank the hon. Member for that contribution. Indeed, he shared that when we met earlier this year. That was a helpful discussion, filling in the legislative and debate history as well as the personal history that contributed to where we have reached. Hon. Members may be aware that the total cost for an adult to naturalise as a British citizen is £1,735, and the cost to register a child as a British citizen is £1,214. We agreed that those were not acceptable fee levels for applications made under the new route. Under the provisions of the new route, and in the context of a challenging fiscal climate, the application fee is 50% below that for other nationalities. It is £723 plus the citizenship ceremony fee for adults, which brings it to £853, and £607 for children. The fees for children can be waived if they are in the care of the local authority, or if it can be demonstrated that their families cannot afford them. The new fees represent a substantial saving for Irish citizens resident in the UK who wish to become British citizens, and contrast with other fees associated with citizenship. The previous Government’s opinion from the Act’s passage through Parliament was that fees should be applied, subject to the usual process for establishing fees and charges for border and migration services. We believe that continuing the work in that spirit is the correct pathway for making the new route operational. The Act extends across the whole of the UK. The decision on a fee, although recommended by the Home Office, is not solely a Home Office decision. The decision must be financially viable across the entirety of Government. It recognises that, although the route is easier, simpler and cheaper for Irish citizens, the checks and operations that are still required contribute to the costs of the migration and border system, as reflected in the fee. I would like to make a couple of points about questions put by the hon. Member for East Londonderry. The citizenship ceremony is an important part of the British citizenship process. British nationality law requires all successful adults for naturalisation or registration as a British citizen to take an oath and pledge at a citizenship ceremony. They will also get the certificate needed for a passport application at that ceremony. The hon. Member asked where citizenship ceremonies take place in Northern Ireland. They happen in Hillsborough castle or at Lagan Valley Island and are presided over by one of Northern Ireland’s eight Lord Lieutenants. I hope that is helpful to him in understanding some of the ways in which the operational side happens in Northern Ireland. I thank all right hon. and hon. Members for their contributions, not just in Westminster Hall today but their work leading up to now. I am extremely pleased to announce that the new provisions set out in the Act will commence on 22 July. I reiterate our support for the underlying principles of the Act and our continued acknowledgment of the shared history and geography of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland with our friends across the Irish sea. We meanwhile look forward to welcoming applications from eligible Irish citizens via the new route in the near future. I look forward to continuing discussions with the hon. Member for East Londonderry and others as we move forward. Question put and agreed to.