Immigrants who make little effort to integrate into society will wait longer before they can become British citizens under changes to citizenship rules.

As part of the Borders, Immigration and Citizenship Bill, they will have to “earn” the right to a passport rather than simply achieving it through five years’ residence. The latest measure will end the automatic right to stay and replace it with a new system of “earned citizenship” and temporary residence.

Arrivals will have to demonstrate a good ability in English and a knowledge of life in Britain before becoming citizens. Immigrants who do no voluntary work will qualify only after eight years and those who become unemployed will be asked to leave.

The Bill will deny full access to social benefits, including social housing, to those who have not completed a new period of probationary citizenship of between one and five years. The aim is to link the gaining of a British passport to a greater commitment to the British way of life.

Immigrants convicted of serious criminal offences could be barred from citizenship and those found guilty of minor crimes may face delays in having their applications processed.

The suggestion of a Bank Holiday to celebrate Britain appears to have been abandoned.

The Bill will also reduce the restrictions on people from overseas, but who have a British-born mother, applying to become a citizen. Children born to British mothers before 1961 will be able to apply for citizenship. Previously it was passed on through fathers.

The Government proposes to levy a top-up fee on immigrants to create a fund expected to run to £20 million. Cash from the fund will be distributed to local authorities facing short-term pressure because of an influx of migrants.

Chris Huhne, the Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman, said: “These proposed reforms are a tacit admission that the Government has failed in its seven previous immigration Bills. We need to re-establish controls over our borders so we can count people in and out.”

Jacqui Smith, the Home Secretary, will also unveil reforms to the police service, including plans for directly elected police authorities. Although the issue does not generate much public interest, it is generating concern within political parties and threatens to put local councillors at loggerheads with Westminster frontbenchers.

Fears have been expressed by Labour local government leaders that direct votes for police authorities might lead to right-wing groups gaining political control of the police in ballots where the turnout was low.

There is wider concern among the police that this is part of a trend towards politicians obtaining power over the direction of policing.

Others parts of the proposals are less controversial and include laying down minimum national standards for neighbourhood policing teams and a new structure for police pay.

Officers will be given powers to take fingerprints while they are out on the beat and to use hand-held computers and other devices to cut down on paperwork. Under the Coroners and Justice Bill, the Government plans to introduce new “investigative witness anonymity” to protect witnesses to gang-related killings. It will also reform murder law, including the abolition of the partial defence of provocation, and modernise the law on assisted suicide.

The Bill also includes establishing a sentencing council for England and Wales to make sentencing more consistent and introduces a scheme to stop criminals selling their stories. The Bill applies to England and Wales, with some elements extending to Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Proposals to hold some inquests in private on the ground of national security appear to have been put on hold after criticism from MPs and justice campaigners.

Times Recommends

• What makes the perfect mum?
• To keep me stress-free, no more awareness days, please
• What do lottery winners buy?