Call to toughen citizenship tests

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Liam Byrne, the Immigration Minister, insisted newcomers should be clear that citizenship was "something which is earned".

Ministers are already proposing that foreign nationals who stay for six months or more must carry identity cards, in a bid to prevent fraudulent access to work and benefits.

Speaking to business leaders at KPMG, Mr Byrne said there was now a need to "refocus" on citizenship policy and debate the way to go next.

"I believe we should clarify the contract between our country and newcomers," he said. "On the one hand we need to do more to help newcomers understand our values and the British way of life when they decide to stay.

"But for those who decide to make the UK their future, we need to make it clearer that citizenship isn't simply handed out, but something which is earned."

Mr Byrne also told the gathering that, while there was an economic case for migration, business would not be the only voice to influence decisions on future policy.

He said that the new Migration Impact Forum would comprise representatives of local government, housing, education, the voluntary sector, police, the magistracy, the NHS and the TUC, as well as CBI.

"When we make migration decisions, business will not be the only voice we listen to, because others have a claim to stake," Mr Byrne added.

The forum will meet for the first time on June 21, chaired by Mr Byrne and Communities Minister Phil Woolas.