Immigrants could soon sit test on ‘Britishness’

Proposals unveiled by Home Secretary David Blunkett could see immigrants in the UK having to undergo a test of their “Britishness”.

If implemented, the proposals from an independent report recommend compulsory examinations based on free short courses to ensure all new citizens can speak English and have an understanding of UK institutions.

In order to qualify for citizenship, applicants must have lived in the country for five years - three years if married to a British citizen - without committing any serious offence. Prospective citizens will also be required to have an adequate knowledge of English, Welsh or Scottish Gaelic.

Home Secretary David Blunkett welcomed the report as a “substantial contribution to getting the balance right” and said that the government would make a detailed response.

He said: "I want to encourage people who are permanently settled in this country to apply for citizenship here. In common with people in this country from many different cultural backgrounds, I think being British is something to be proud of - the common values that bind us together as a nation should be celebrated.

"Citizenship brings responsibilities as well as rights and it is important that new citizens understand and respect the UK culture and its laws."

The report has also advised that a "Living in the United Kingdom" handbook should be produced for new immigrants which would be based on a course and include a short historical introduction about the UK.

The final report in the Life in the United Kingdom group, chaired by Sir Bernard Crick, suggests that the citizenship curriculum should cover six categories: British National Institutions; Britain as a multicultural society; basic British law; employment; sources of help and information; and everyday needs including types of housing, ways of paying bills and what makes for good neighbours.

(SP)