Pandemic hits city citizenship figures

Fewer people in Sunderland became British citizens last year after the pandemic prevented many citizenship ceremonies taking place, new figures show.

Home Office figures show 46 people attended citizenship ceremonies in the city in 2020 – 54 fewer than the 100 the year before.

Since the figures were first published in 2004, 2,480 people have gained citizenship in the area.

Just under 75,000 people took part in citizenship ceremonies nationally last year – a drop of 34% from 2019.

The events are the final step in the process to full citizenship and being able to obtain a British passport, but were suspended for parts of 2020 due to Covid-19.

Participants are asked to make an oath of allegiance to the Queen and pledge to respect the rights, freedoms and laws of the UK.

Steve Ballinger, director of communications at the think tank British Future, said: “Registrars worked hard but Covid meant many ceremonies were delayed – andpeopledon’tgettheirpapersuntiltheyhaveattended the ceremony.”

The Institute for Public Policy Research think tank wants the current process reformed.

Marley Morris, IPPR associate director for migration, trade and communities, said: "Councils should explore ways to celebrate citizenship ceremonies more widely in their local communities."

A Home Office spokesman said: “We continue to work closely with local authorities to ensure anyone who requires a British citizenship ceremony can attend one as quickly as possible."