HOME OFFICE News
Release (135/2008) issued by The Government News Network on 23 July 2008
The age at which
someone can apply for a marriage visa will increase from 18 to 21
as part of a crackdown on forced marriage, the Home Office
announced today.
Statistics show that 30 per cent of the cases dealt with by the
Government's Forced Marriage Unit involved victims aged
between 18 and 21.
The new steps significantly strengthen the safeguards against
forced marriage. The five key proposals announced today are to:
* raise the age of sponsorship for a marriage visa from 18 to 21;
* ask foreign spouses to enter into an agreement to learn English
before they come to the UK;
* introduce a power to revoke leave to remain where there is
evidence that the marriage route has been abused;
* require all sponsors to register their intention to marry
overseas before they leave the UK; and
* ensure through a code of practice that specialist teams can
identify vulnerable people at risk of forced marriage.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said:
"Forced marriage leads to victims suffering years of
physical and mental abuse and - in extreme cases - unlawful
imprisonment and rape. It has no place in our society. That is why
the Government is determined to do everything it can to stamp it
out and to ensure that victims receive the help and support they need.
"That is why we are raising the age limit for visas,
checking anyone entering into a marriage does so of their own free
will, and demanding that those coming to the UK learn English."
Any British citizen applying to 'sponsor' someone to
come to the UK as their spouse will have to declare their
intention before they leave the UK and marry abroad. This will
mean that a young person will know in advance that a marriage will
take place overseas and who their prospective partner will be.
Practical guidance is also being introduced so the UK Border
Agency staff can spot any risk of abuse or those who are
vulnerable to forced marriage and prevent them from being coerced
into marriage. In these cases we will make clear what the rights
of victims are and how the marriage visa will be dealt with.
Tough new rules will mean that anyone abusing the marriage visa
system will be removed from the UK by the UKBA under a new power
to revoke people's right to stay in the country.
The Government believes that those who stay in the UK must have a
good grasp of English to ensure they integrate into British life.
Before they come to the UK, spouses will need to sign up to an
agreement to learn English. Soon after their arrival, the UKBA
will check they are fulfilling their promise. If they are not,
their leave could be cancelled.
Border and Immigration Minister Liam Byrne:
"British citizens have the right to marry whoever they
choose. But we want newcomers to succeed in our society and sign
up to the standards we have in common. That means freedom, not
being forced to marry someone, and it means newcomers quickly
acquiring a command of English, with consequences for those who
break the rules."
New guidelines will help ensure that police, teachers and health
workers can recognise the signs of a forced marriage, take action
and help victims escape. A consultation published today will
ensure the Government gets this advice for workers right.
Today we are also publishing the Government's response to
the Home Affairs Committee Report on Domestic Violence, Forced
Marriage and "Honour"-Based Violence, published on 7
June. The new proposals on marriage visas fulfil a number of
recommendations from the Home Affairs Committee, relating to
forced marriage
This work shows the Government's commitment to preventing
forced marriage and supporting its victims.
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. Today's proposals are set out in "Marriage Visas:
The Way Forward", which can be found at the following link:
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk.
2. This document follows two consultations: "Marriage to
Partners from Overseas", which can be found at the following
link: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk
and "Marriage Visas: pre-entry English Requirement for
Spouses", which can be found here: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk
3. The Forced Marriage Unit handles approximately 5,000 enquiries
and 400 cases per year concerning young British nationals at risk
of being forced into marriage overseas.
4. In 2007 the Forced Marriage Unit dealt with 215 cases of
overseas forced marriage where the age of the victim was known, 69
of which involved people aged between 18 and 20.
5. A consultation on guidance on forced marriages for frontline
workers was published by the Home Office today and can be found
here: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk.
6. Today the Home Office also published its response to the Home
Affairs Select Committee report on domestic violence and forced
marriage, which was published on 13 June. This document can be
found here: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk.