Joint Amnesty UK and PRCBC letter to Minister re fee waiver for children's registration as British citizens

On 16 June 2022, the Home Secretary introduced an exemption from the fee for children to be registered as British citizens for children who are looked after by a local authority; and a waiver of that fee for children who satisfy her department that it is not affordable for them.

The Project for the Registration of Children as British Citizens (PRCBC) and Amnesty UK wrote to the Minister to welcome this positive step; and to raise certain further concerns that relate to it and its effectiveness.

On 25 July 2022, the Minister responded to that letter. The joint PRCBC and Amnesty UK letter and Minister's response are available below. The Minister's letter emphasises:

"...the particular value British citizenship can have for children who have been born here or spent a substantial part of their lives in the UK, particularly those intangible benefits in terms of the sense of identity and belonging which develop during an individual’s formative years, along with the impact this can have on their wider wellbeing."

This is significant recognition of the vital importance that children are able to, and do, secure their rights to British citizenship.