Govt extends Britishness test

Monday, 4 December 2006 12:00 AM

Everyone wanting to live in the UK permanently will have to take a Britishness test, the government has announced.

If their English is not good enough, from April 2nd next year they will also have to take a language course before being granted the permanent right to remain.

A Home Office spokesman said the new requirements would help immigrants' job prospects, improve their understanding of the rights and responsibilities of people living in the UK and "assist their integration into local communities".

People hoping to become UK citizens have been required to take the tests since November 2005, but this is now being extended to everyone interested in settling here.

The 'UK way of life' test is made up of 24 multiple choice questions on all areas of British society, including traditions and specific laws.

Immigration minister Liam Byrne said: "It is essential that migrants wishing to live in the UK permanently recognise that there are responsibilities that go with this."

"Having a good grasp of English is essential in order for them to play a full role in society and properly integrate into our communities."

Last year, 217,475 people applied to become British citizens, and 179,120 were granted the right to settle in the UK.

Gordon Brown, who is widely expected to take over from Tony Blair as prime minister when he quits next year, is a strong advocate of Britishness tests and has even mooted a national day of Britishnesses to improve feelings of unity.

The issue of citizenship and nationality has gained prominence in the wake of the London terror attacks last July, when four home-grown suicide bombers blew themselves up on the capital's transport network.

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• domestic policy
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• immigration