Tories pledge to raise age barrier for foreign spouses

They promise to introduce rules to stop forced marriages and the immigration of young women, frequently from rural backgrounds, who they say are often unable to play a full part in British society.

Tory immigration spokesman Damian Green said the age at which a spouse could be brought in would be raised from 18 to 21 under Conservatives.

Spouses would also have to pass an English test and would be interviewed by immigration officers.

Tories are also considering further restrictions, including citizenship tests and a requirement to declare an intention to marry a foreigner three or six months before doing so.

There is concern about the number of young people forced into marriages with men or women from their parents' home country.

But the rules are likely to trigger concern in the Asian community, which insists most marriages from overseas are genuine.

Community leaders also argue increasing the age barrier is discriminatory because people would be deemed mature enough to marry someone from Britain but not from overseas.

Any British citizen can bring in a spouse from another country, as long as both parties are over 18.

In 2005, 41,560 spouses came to the UK, an increase of more than a quarter since 2000. The majority of wives and fiancees - 62 per cent - come from Asia.

Spouses are admitted on a visa which allows them to remain for two years before applying to settle here.

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."