LOCAL Lib Dems are continuing to press for a compassionate and practical approach to the British National Overseas (BNO) for Hong Kongers who have settled in the town.
They have welcomed a Government decision to retain the five-year BNO route after previously wanting to extend it to 10 years.
Cllr Sharon Harris responded to the Government’s confirmation that the British National (Overseas) (BNO) route for Hong Kongers will remain at five years before settlement, calling it “a welcome decision overshadowed by an unrealistic language barrier.” She said: “Keeping the BNO route at five years is the right thing to do and will bring huge relief to many Hong Kongers who have started to rebuild their lives here in the UK. But the Government is still failing these families by keeping the language requirement at B2. For most people who arrive here as refugees from repression and upheaval, that level within five years is simply unrealistic – especially while they are working long hours, caring for children and trying to navigate an entirely new system. B2 is a higher level than GCSE and just below A-level. How many of our school leavers fail to reach this standard? Language should be a bridge to integration, not a barrier to security and stability.”
In October this year, Cllr Harris brought a Motion to Warrington Borough Council calling for the 5-year (plus 1-year) pathway to settlement to remain as the government wanted to change it to 10 years (plus 1-year). She highlighted the valuable contribution of Hongkongers to the town and called for strengthened safeguards against politically motivated extradition requests. That Motion also urged the Government to ensure that any changes to the BNO scheme would be fair, transparent and workable in practice – the B2 language requirement does not make it practical.
Cllr Harris added: “In Warrington, we have seen first-hand how Hongkongers are enriching our communities, our schools and our local economy. My Motion in October was about making sure they are supported, not shut out by red tape. I’m urging the Government to look again at the B2 requirement and to work with councils, community groups and language providers to set a more realistic standard – backed by proper funding for English classes. These new residents are committed to the UK and to Warrington. We should be just as committed to giving them a fair chance to stay.”
The Liberal Democrats continue to press for a compassionate, practical approach to the BNO scheme, including realistic language expectations and properly funded local support so that Hongkongers can put down roots and fully participate in British life.
沃靈頓自由民主黨議員 Sharon Harris 就政府確認 BNO 五年入籍途徑發表聲明
沃靈頓自由民主黨議員 Sharon Harris 回應政府確認英國國民（海外）（BNO）途徑維持五年後可申請定居的決定，形容這是「一項令人欣慰的決定，但不能忽略不切實際、被提升了的語文要求」。
她表示：
「將 BNO 入籍途徑維持為五年是一個正確的決定，對許多已在英國重建生活的香港人而言，是莫大的安慰。
但政府仍然未能真正支援這些家庭，因為語文要求仍維持在 B2 水平。對於大多數因政治打壓與動盪而來英的家庭而言，要在五年內達到這個水平根本不切實際——尤其當他們正長時間工作、照顧子女並適應全新的生活體系。B2 水平比 GCSE（英國中學會考）要求更高，僅略低於 A Level（英國高級程度會考）。我們有多少英國學生在畢業時甚至未能達到這個水平？
語言應是融入社會的橋樑，而不是獲得安全與穩定生活的障礙。」
今年十月，Harris 議員在沃靈頓市議會提出動議，呼籲維持「五年加一年」的定居途徑，因為政府曾計劃改為「十年加一年」。她亦強調香港人在本地作出的貢獻，並呼籲加強對政治動機引渡要求的保障。該動議亦要求政府確保任何對 BNO 計劃的修改都必須公平、透明、並具實際可行性——而 B2 語言要求顯然不符合這一點。
Harris 議員補充說：
「在沃靈頓，我們親眼見證香港人為社區、學校及地方經濟帶來的積極影響。我在十月提出的動議，是為了確保他們獲得應有的支援，而不是被語言要求拒之門外。
我敦促政府重新審視 B2 語文要求，並與地方政府、社區團體及語言教育機構合作，訂立更切實的標準——同時提供真正足夠的英語學習資源。這些新居民願意投入英國、投入沃靈頓，我們也應同樣致力給予他們一個公平留下來的機會。」
自由民主黨將持續爭取在人道與實際之間取得平衡的 BNO 安置政策，包括合理的語言要求以及充足的地方支援，讓香港人能夠扎根並充分參與英國生活。
