House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement
Deprivation of Citizenship Orders (Effect during Appeal) Bill
19 June 2025 · Home Office
Proposed by Dan Jarvis Lab Barnsley North
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
At a glance
Key points
- The government has introduced the Deprivation of Citizenship Orders (Effect during Appeal) Bill to address a loophole in national security.
- The bill seeks to amend section 40A of the British Nationality Act 1981 to prevent individuals from regaining British citizenship during an appeal.
- The government maintains existing rights of appeal and does not intend to expand reasons for deprivation.
Issue summary
The government has introduced the Deprivation of Citizenship Orders (Effect during Appeal) Bill to address a loophole that allows individuals who pose a threat to national security to automatically regain British citizenship before appeals are exhausted.
Action requested
The bill aims to amend section 40A of the British Nationality Act 1981, preventing those deprived of their citizenship from returning to the UK and seeking to undermine deprivation orders while an appeal is ongoing. The government does not intend to change existing rights of appeal or widen reasons for deprivation.
Key facts
- Removing someone's British citizenship is used against individuals who obtained it fraudulently or pose a threat to national security.
- In the case of N3 (ZA) v Secretary of State for the Home Department, successful appeals lead to automatic restoration of British citizenship before other appeals are exhausted.
- The Bill will prevent people deprived of their citizenship from returning to the UK until all appeals have been determined.