A coalition of charities and legal experts has launched a campaign calling on the UK government to do more to raise awareness of citizenship rights for children born in the country. The initiative, led by Project 17 and the Children's Society, highlights that many children are missing out on British citizenship due to a lack of information and complex application processes.
Statelessness Risk for Thousands of Children
According to the campaign, an estimated 215,000 children in the UK are not British citizens, with many being unaware of their eligibility. This puts them at risk of statelessness, which can deny them access to healthcare, education, and other essential services. The campaign urges the Home Office to automatically register children born in the UK as citizens, or at least provide clear information to families.
Legal and Human Rights Concerns
"It is unacceptable that children are left in legal limbo, unable to access their rights simply because of bureaucratic hurdles," said a spokesperson for Project 17. The campaign also points to the UK's obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which requires states to ensure every child has a nationality.
Government Response
A Home Office spokesperson said: "We are committed to ensuring that children who are entitled to British citizenship can obtain it. We are reviewing our guidance and processes to make them clearer and more accessible." The campaign continues to gather support from MPs and children's rights advocates.
