The full text of home secretary David Blunkett's statement in the Commons on the nationality, immigration and asylum white paper.

With permission Mr Speaker I wish to make a statement on nationality, immigration and asylum.

Last October I informed the House of the new strategic direction for this crucial area. Today I am publishing a white paper to be followed by legislation in this session.

Significant progress has already been made.

• The first induction centre was opened on January 22, in Dover;

• Registration cards were launched last week and are now being issued to new asylum seekers;

• We have launched the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme;

• New border security controls are in place, following my announcement on 19 September;

• As of last week, asylum seekers are no longer being held in prison.

I can also confirm today that vouchers will be replaced by cash by the autumn, together with action, against fraud and the development of a more robust, faster and efficient system.

This white paper takes forward our agenda by offering a holistic and comprehensive approach to nationality, managed migration and asylum. This recognises the interrelationship of each element in the system. No longer will we treat asylum seekers in isolation or fail to recognise that there must be alternative routes to entry into this country.

Our policies must command trust, confidence and respect from the wider community. The British people demand coherence in policy and efficiency in administration.

Mr Speaker, our starting point has been the development of a sense of belonging and community. Confidence in our identity and citizenship allows us to welcome those who come to the UK as refugees or legal migrants, more readily

To give new meaning and value to the acquisition of British nationality, I am confirming today that we will introduce a number of key reforms:

• There will be new light touch arrangements to ensure that those who take on nationality have the language skills and basic knowledge of our society, needed to fully contribute.

• There will be ceremonies at which the confirmation of citizenship can be celebrated;

• And we will modernise the oath of allegiance, to provide new wording to make clear the fundamental rights and duties of citizenship. This will be a citizenship pledge.

Mr Speaker, the white paper also sets out the routes by which men and women can work legitimately in this country. In today's global economy, this is crucial both to our competitiveness and prosperity.

My new proposals include:

• The development of routes for seasonal or short-term casual working;

• Consultation on reform to the working holiday-makers scheme to make it less restrictive.

• Enabling students graduating in the UK to switch into the work permit scheme.

This white paper sets out the end-to-end revisions to the asylum system. The new process will track and support asylum seekers from induction, through reporting and accommodation, to removal or integration.

Mr Speaker, work has started on the new trial accommodation centres which will be mandatory for those designated asylum seekers who are claiming public support. The centres will offer education, health care and legal and interpreting services.

Opportunities for volunteering and other purposeful activities will also be available, as will appropriate language support.

For those refused asylum, secure removal centres will enable us to protect the integrity of the system through early removal.

Mr Speaker without an agreed and legitimate route for asylum seekers to enter this country, it has been inevitable that men and women desperate to seek refuge would put their lives at risk.

That is why I am announcing today that we will set up the new 'gateway' for those seeking to settle in Britain. This will be operated under the auspices of the UNHCR. Legitimate refugees who come via this gateway will no longer have to attempt the hazardous journeys across the Channel.

This would be a major step in regularising legitimate entry alongside our managed economic migration programme.

In addition, to secure a robust foundation on which we can build, I intend to undertake a full comprehensive audit of existing asylum claimants. Long standing cases will receive urgent attention.

Mr Speaker the white paper also sets out substantial changes to the whole asylum appeals process.

Far too many appeals and judicial reviews are designed to delay and frustrate removal. I am therefore announcing today that we will:

• Simplify the one-stop appeals process;

• Set closure dates for appeal hearings to stop multiple adjournments;

• Make the immigration appeal tribunal a superior court of record.

In addition, we will increase the capacity of the adjudication system by 50 per cent, to a total of 6000 a month, during the course of this year; and we will expand the number of removal places to 4000.

I can also confirm that I intend to close Campsfield House. This outdated centre is no longer appropriate in the twenty first century. These detention places will be transferred to the new high standard removal centres.

My reforms will protect fundamental rights, stop abuse of the system; and enable a more effective administration and processing of claims.

Those working in the Immigration and Nationality Directorate will be able to do their job more effectively, and I expect both greater productivity and efficiency.

Let us be in no doubt. We need to reduce the pull factor by clamping down on both clandestine entry and illegal working.

The Proceeds of Crime Bill will ensure that we can seize the assets of criminals involved in smuggling and trafficking people. In addition, the maximum penalty for those facilitating illegal entry will be raised to 14 years.

Mr Speaker I can also confirm that we will legislate to tackle trafficking for the purposes of sexual exploitation. This will be a stepping stone to more wide-ranging legislation dealing with sexual exploitation.

In addition, we will introduce tougher border controls and step up action, together with our European and international partners.

A high level steering group of business and trade union leaders is being established to take forward proposals to tackle illegal working; and as I announced on Tuesday, we intend to launch a consultation on entitlement cards to be published in the Spring or early Summer.

Alongside these measures, we will act against the worrying practice of fraudulent marriages. We will:

• Increase the probationary period from one to two years;

• Consult on a new 'non-switching' provision to prevent people applying to remain in the United Kingdom on the basis of marriage after entering through a different category;

• Encourage communities with a culture of arranged marriages to look to those already resident in the United Kingdom.

Finally, I know that the rules on family visitor visas have been a cause of great concern to members of this House.

I have an open mind on how best to improve the system not least for those seeking urgent entry on occasions such as bereavement.

The government would therefore welcome ideas on how best to provide guarantees or bonds. This might be undertaken not simply by individuals or families, but by the provision of a community bond. I recognise we have to get this right, and I am therefore encouraging positive suggestions on how best to proceed.

Mr Speaker our future social cohesion, economic prosperity and integrity, depends on how well we rise to the global challenge of mass migration, communication and flight from persecution.

We have a history of trade and migration that has brought us wealth and prosperity over the centuries.

Nevertheless, building trust and confidence to secure the support of the British people is essential.

By doing this we can create a country that is open to skills and enterprise, but not to exploitation. This is a Britain with a balanced approach to nationality and immigration; a country, Mr Speaker, of which all of us can be proud.