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MP Supports Hong Kongers Staying in UK

Yuan Yang, the Labour MP for Earley and Woodley, has backed calls to let Hong Kongers stay in the UK without facing new settlement tests.

She was one of 36 MPs who signed a public letter to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood asking that British National (Overseas), or BNO, visa holders already living here be exempted from plans to make minimum language and income requirements mandatory for settlement.

The MPs say they are "deeply concerned" about the requirements Hong Kongers must meet to qualify for 'Indefinite Leave to Remain', and warn a retrospective change would have major implications for some families. Many people from Hong Kong have moved to the area since 2021 after the National Security Law was passed in June 2020.

Ms Mahmood has acknowledged the letter but no changes to 'earned settlement' requirements for BNOs have been announced.

The issue was raised at the Maiden Erlegh Residents Association on 12 March and will be discussed again on 9 April. Ms Yang was born in mainland China in 1990 and moved to the UK with her family when she was four.

James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter

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