Gordon Prentice - Pendle's Campaigning Labour MP
| MP Backs New Moves To Stop Forced Marriages |
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Tags: forced marriage | Islam | marriage | Press Release
| Written by Gordon Prentice |
| Wednesday, 30 July 2008 00:00 |
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Pendle MP, Gordon Prentice, has welcomed new moves designed to prevent forced marriages. A key requirement means a person intending to sponsor a partner from overseas should declare this intention before they leave the UK. Speaking from Nelson, the MP said: “We hear about young girls – and, occasionally, young men - being taken on holiday and finding they are married off to someone they don’t love and most certainly don’t want.” In its response to a recent consultation on the issue, the Government claims many victims only discover they are getting married once they are abroad, putting them in a vulnerable position with no support. It goes on: “We are therefore proposing a requirement for British citizens and permanent residents who are seeking to sponsor a spouse to come to the UK to first declare their intention before leaving the UK and marrying abroad and, if needed, attend a compulsory interview.” The Government is also seeking to make English mandatory for spouses who want to move to the UK. As a first step, and in advance of this, foreign spouses will be asked to enter into an agreement to learn English as part of their visa application process before they come to the UK. The age at which someone can enter as a spouse is to be increased from 18 to 21. The MP added: “New rules are required to allow the Government to revoke ”indefinite leave to remain in the UK” which is granted to a foreign national on the basis of marriage to a UK citizen and where there has been abuse of the marriage sponsorship. The Government is absolutely right to tackle this head on”. |
| Last Updated ( Tuesday, 07 October 2008 20:17 ) |