VerbatimParliament, as it happens

British Nationality

Asked by Gregory StaffordConservativeHome OfficeTabled Answered 17 February 2026UIN 112058

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment the Government has made of the potential impact of historical sex-based discrimination in British nationality law on individuals born to British mothers prior to January 1983.

Answered by Mike Tapp

Legislative reforms made through the British Nationality Act 1981 removed previous sex-based restrictions on the acquisition of British nationality. Further changes made in 2003 and 2022 provide routes for individuals born before 1983 to claim citizenship under sections 4C and 4L of the 1981 Act, where they were previously unable to become British due to historical legislative unfairness.

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