1. 複製以下的建議內容
I am writing as a constituent to raise concerns about the Home Office consultation on “earned settlement” and its implications for British Nationals (Overseas) from Hong Kong.
I welcome the Government’s commitment to ensuring that settlement and citizenship reflect integration, economic self-sufficiency and contribution to local communities, and I appreciate the Government’s recognition of the uniquely strong attachment that BN(O)s have to the UK. The reaffirmation of the original 5+1 route is especially significant to families like mine who made major life decisions on the basis of that promise.
However, the consultation represents a missed opportunity to adopt a genuinely long-term, mission-driven model of socioeconomic contribution. By relying heavily on short-term income, it departs from established approaches to assessing long-run fiscal impact and instead applies a one-size-fits-all framework that treats all migrants as if they were short-stay economic migrants. This approach is ill-suited to BN(O)s, whose contribution stems from their skills, accumulated assets, and whose long-term value is strengthened by sustained intergenerational investment in their children’s education and careers in the UK. Applying a narrow, wage-based model not only mismeasures this contribution but also risks contradicting the original purpose and intention of the BN(O) visa route.
In light of this, I respectfully ask the Government to consider the following:
1. Honour the original BN(O) promise without introducing income thresholds or additional English-language requirements.
The BN(O) route was created on a distinct historical basis, and families relocated to the UK in reliance on a clear five-year path to settlement. Applying new income or tax thresholds retroactively would undermine the basis on which they came. Likewise, the Hong Kong BN(O) Welcome Programme has provided support at B1 level; an abrupt shift to B2 would be inconsistent with the framework households have been operating under.
A more comprehensive and robust measurement framework is required to recognise the following socioeconomic contributions made by BN(O) visa holders:
• significant household assets and Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) pension assets, estimated at around £4 billion, that will be transferred to the UK once settlement is secured;
• exceptionally high rates of home-ownership (49% among BN(O)s, compared with 27% among migrants resident for under five years), which generate significant SDLT receipts and place very minimal demand on social housing or wider welfare services.
• strong educational investment, Ednovate CIC's survey shows 94.3% of BN(O) parents expect their children to enter a UK university, and 65% of young people plan to study and work in sectors with acute skills shortages, including healthcare, engineering, IT and the creative industries. This provides immediate support to a university sector facing severe financial pressure and strengthens the UK’s long-term labour supply in areas of national need.
2. Clarify dependent partner and children criteria without delay.
Uncertainty around which partners and children will qualify under the proposed reforms is causing significant anxiety, particularly for families with children preparing for, or currently enrolled in, UK universities. Clear guidance is essential for families to plan their education, residence and care arrangements.
3. Maintain a coherent approach for Hong Kong asylum seekers.
Many young Hong Kongers seeking asylum are in their 20s and 30s and have been actively upskilling and integrating during long periods of uncertainty. A consistent and credible policy approach would allow the UK to benefit from the potential and commitment this group offers.
I would be grateful if you could raise these concerns with the Home Office or the Immigration Minister, and I would welcome any update you can share.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
2. 透過 https://www.writetothem.com,查找您所在地區的國會議員 (Your MP),將第一步複製的內容貼到表格中並寄出(如果可以,我們建議稍作修改用字,以避免相同訊息被系統攔截。)
3. 前往諮詢文件網站 https://ukhomeoffice.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1yMmiaG7zqwPuM6 直接向內政部提交您對本次諮詢的回應