UK Citizenship Test: Your views on the governments new plans

The Home Secretary Theresa May recently unveiled plans for revising the content of the UK’s citizenship test – the so-named ‘Life in the UK’ test – to reflect the hallmarks of traditional British history and culture, including a requirement to learn the first verse of the National Anthem for anyone hoping to obtain a British passport.

From this coming autumn, migrants applying to become UK citizens could be expected to answer questions ranging from the biographical details of key Britons, such as Charles Dickens, Florence Nightingale, and Isambard Kingdom Brunel, to knowledge of Turner’s paintings, key historical events, how Shakespeare defined literature and language, to the strides made by Emmeline Pankhurst in the fight for women’s suffrage.

To explore the topic, we invited you to answer three searching questions:

Firstly, did you think individuals applying for UK citizenship should or should not have to learn the first verse of the National Anthem in order to pass the test?
From the list of topics and key figures constituting British history and culture, that reports on the reforms indicated might be included in the revised test handbook and examination, which do you think you’d struggle to pass if you took the test tomorrow?
And then, to explore the principles or logic behind the test itself – by looking at the Home Office’s statement on the change, compared with Bernard Crick’s reasoning as the thinker behind the original, ‘Life in the UK’ test.

More than 700 participants took part in the debate. Read our analysis below of what people taking part had to say.

VIEWPOINT: Individuals applying for UK citizenship SHOULD have to learn the first verse of our National Anthem to pass the test

A slightly higher proportion of those participating in the open poll agreed applicants SHOULD have to learn the first verse of ‘God Save the Queen’.

Here, participants cited ‘integration into society’ as one of the main reasons why applicants should learn the first verse, with many of you telling us the song is an important part of being and feeling ‘British’
Most participants argued that learning the National Anthem was a clear way for immigrants to show respect and dedication to the country they wished to become a part of, as the National Anthem is a crucial part of British culture.
Pride in the British monarchy and cultural heritage was widely expressed - you felt that acknowledging British traditions was important for those individuals seeking UK citizenship
Some of you said that learning the National Anthem demonstrated knowledge of the English language, which you perceived as important, thinking about those applying for Citizenship

“If they are applying for UK citizenship, then they are accepting the Queen as the Head of their adopted country and as such should learn the first verse – this should not be questioned” Sasha, Somerset

“To prove they and family members can speak the English language. Today some cultures living in the UK cannot speak English” Anon, Norfolk

“Being a citizen is more than just holding a passport. If someone wants to be part of a country, they should know vital details. I believe people applying for US citizenship must know the pledge of allegiance. However, most UK citizens don't know any of the information included in the UK citizenship test. I have a number of friends who do the online practice test and failed. The requirements should be consistent between the two parts of the population” MS, London

“If anyone wants to live in this country (or any other) as a permanent resident it would be right and proper that they learnt/or taught the National Anthem of that country. After all, they are declaring their preference to dwell in the country as a citizen of the country. If you are not prepared to declare your allegiance, you shouldn't be allowed to live there” Jim S, Leeds

“Any person wishing to permanently live in the UK should seek to learn about and support our culture, whatever their previous background, culture or religion. They should not be granted permanent leave to remain until they can speak English, have a knowledge of our laws, customs, history, culture and accept our way of life. The anthem is a symbol of our nationality, together with our flag. A comprehensive knowledge of both should be required” David C

“Surely, when immigrants come to Britain to draw our benefit scheme, the least they can do is learn some respect for those of us who support them and learn our National Anthem?” JD

“I had to learn it at school and it is part of what makes me British and for some strange reason that I do not fully understand, gives me a pride in my country. People coming to live here from foreign cultures should follow the old saying of "When in Rome do as the Romans do". They should not come here and expect us to change our way of life for them, for they are coming here because our lifestyle and economics are attractive to them” David, Worcs

“If you choose to become a UK citizen you should have a good understanding of the culture, custom and practice of your adopted country. If I went to live in another country I would learn their National Anthem” Jayne M, Bristol

“Show a willingness to become British by being involved in ALL of our culture and traditions – 'when in Rome do as the Romans do'!!!!” Maureen, S18

VIEWPOINT: Individuals applying for UK citizenship should NOT have to learn the first verse of our National Anthem to pass the test

Overwhelmingly, those holding this viewpoint had issues with the National Anthem itself, thinking it irrelevant and/or unimportant in everyday life
You admitted that lots of you didn’t know the first verse, so it was hardly fair to expect foreign nationals to do so
Many did not value learning the first verse of the song as a reasonable test to gain UK citizenship
Some cited there are many more important tests that individuals should undertake if they wish to become UK citizens – or suggested the introduction of a UK ‘allegiance test’ – wherein new citizens swear to adopt the nation’s ‘values’

“The National Anthem is NOT an important part of life in the UK; the test should be to see if the person has the understanding and language skills needed to survive and interact in everyday UK life” Damian S, South Wales

“Patriotism is not a requirement of citizenship. More importantly, our national anthem is an outmoded disgrace. Even if you accept that the royal family is a good thing for this country, it invokes a Christian god in a multicultural, secular society. Asking people of other faiths to invoke a heathen God is unacceptable” Anon

“I don't know the first verse of the national anthem and I've lived here all my life. I don't see how it's relevant to anybody’s life” Anon

“The National Anthem is an outdated, purely English piece of very dull and uninspiring music. Utterly irrelevant to modern UK” Nigel, Farnborough

“What moron thought this up? Migrants to this country should bring a skill we lack and the financial wherewithal to support themselves without state aid for five years, that’s it. Everything else is fluff.” Jim, Leeds

“I think it would be better if they learned the price of a return ticket and the way back to the airport – we're already too crowded” Anon

“That is the least important part of entering our society. In my opinion it is more important that they are prepared to adopt British values relative to Law and Order and be prepared to reasonably accept decisions made by the Government and avoid attempting to make Britain like the country they have left.” Johnboy, Houston

“It proves nothing and it's too easy to fake. Better to have a sworn declaration of the values that we pride ourselves in – things like tolerance and fairness to all minorities.” Ealingman, London

From the list of topics and key figures in British history and culture that reports indicated might be included in the revised examination, we asked our panellists to tell us which they would struggle to answer questions on most.

Thomas Gainsborough, the 18th Century portrait and landscape painter, was chosen by the highest proportion of participants as the historical figure they would struggle to pass questions on.
Robert Browning, the Victorian-era poet, was chosen by nearly as many of you as someone you would have difficulty answering questions about on the citizenship test.
J.M.W. Turner, who was a landscape painter and is seen as one of the key forerunners of the Impressionism art movement, was the historical figure that the third highest proportion of participants said would be a challenge to answer questions about.
The historical figures that the smallest proportion of you told us you would struggle to answer questions about were: Queen Elizabeth II, William Shakespeare, The Beatles, and Florence Nightingale.

We then invited you to explore the underlying principles of the Life in the UK test: whether or not the test should require applicants to know more about Britain’s cultural and historical underpinnings, with less of an emphasis on individual rights and practicalities of day-to-day living in the UK.

Talking about the changes to the handbook and test, a Home Office official said: "It's a move away from the old one – stuff on rights, practical info that has little to do with British culture – to one that is clear about responsibilities and requires people to have a grounding in our history."

However, Bernard Crick, the professor who wrote the introduction to the first ‘Life in the UK handbook’, said in 2006 that he had resisted including history questions in the test, “both in principle and on grounds of practicality: could any test for immigrants be devised that 80% of our fellow citizens would not fail?"

We invited you to tell us which view you support most.

VIEWPOINT: Individuals taking the UK citizenship test should NOT have to answer questions about British history and culture

The highest proportion of those who took part in the debate agreed with Bernard Crick’s view.

Mr Crick’s point that the majority of citizens who were born and bred in Britain would not be able to answer questions about British history and culture themselves, is what resonated most with those who agreed with him. Some queried whether UK-born citizens should be required to take the test themselves, to illustrate what they saw the proposed test topics as unnecessary hurdles.
Many of you said that the topics that will reportedly be included in the citizenship test were largely ‘irrelevant’ to day-to-day life in the UK, and that the test should focus on practical things that immigrants should to know to help navigate living in Britain.
You said that someone’s level of historical knowledge should not be a determinant as to whether they are a good or bad citizen.
Participants also took issue on principle with the idea of Theresa May and the Home Office choosing which bits of history and culture would be deemed essential knowledge for those hoping to obtain UK citizenship. There were some accusations that the history covered by the new test handbook would be prescriptive, skewed, politically, and even too ‘intellectual’. What matters is the character of the individual coming to the UK – not their general knowledge of the Isles, was the sentiment:

“A test for Citizenship should be a test which current citizens can pass. Rather than general knowledge about the UK's past, would it not be better to ask practical questions about current life in the UK? Questions about TV licence, paying for gas and electricity, direct debits and banking, and renting property – this is knowledge which UK citizens do have and would pass. The Government has it wrong” Andrew S, Leeds

“Are you going to make current citizens take the test? And will we get thrown out if we fail? It is definitely unfair to expect immigrants to know things that most of the population doesn't know. Surely a test of English language skills and employability would be more fitting” Anon

“Theresa May is offering a very narrow and politically biased view of history. Will the Jarrow Marchers or the Tolpuddle Martyrs or the Peterloo massacre be included in her history prospectus? Will Welsh, Scottish, Irish or local history be included?” DAH, Wales

“Byron, really? Most people you would ask in the street that were born and bred here wouldn't know anything about an early 19th Century poet that died in Greece! The bias towards the intellectual is jaw dropping. Most of us rarely think about our history in the mad rush of the way we live, and yet we are asking people to have an understanding of events and people that the 'native' population wouldn't have a clue on” Anon

“I believe that being British is about more than knowing our history and information on The Beatles or other famous British people. Being British is about our culture, the way we live, and how we live. The main part of Bernard Crick's view that I agree with is that there is no point setting a test for becoming a British Citizen that the majority of British citizens through birth would be unable to pass” Anon

“I think most UK citizens would fail the test. While I agree that immigrants should be helped to live an integrated life in the UK, I don't see how quizzing them on random historical figures helps them or anyone else. I think it's just a hurdle and would cause unnecessary stress to people” Anon

“You do not need to know the order of Kings and Queens to be a good citizen. It is more important that someone is honest, tolerant, sociable, contributes to the community, knows the Highway code, and pays their taxes. A person entering the country needs to know the current requirements in law and attitudes to women, children and how government works but they do not need to have detailed knowledge of the past” Patsy B, Norfolk

“The test is called 'Life in the UK'. It should be able practical things which are important when living in the UK. A lot of English people know nothing of ‘English’ culture. In any case, the culture is a hybrid of many other cultures and the cultures of today's immigrants will merge to form a new hybrid culture in turn” Anon

VIEWPOINT: Individuals taking the UK citizenship test SHOULD have to answer questions about British history and culture

And a substantially smaller proportion of those who took part in the debate agreed with the Home Office’s view.

Those who took this view argued that Britain’s history and culture is the foundation of British identity today, and that if immigrants had a greater knowledge and understanding of history and culture it would be easier for them to assimilate.
Participants also said that studying for and taking the test would demonstrate a ‘genuine desire’ to join British society.
Many felt that the test needed to be ‘more stringent’ generally, and that beefing up the historical and cultural elements of the citizenship test was a good way of making it more challenging.
There was even one remark (below) that if the knowledge of British culture and conventional history encompassed in the revised handbook and test was too trialling for UK-born citizens to retain, this indicated a need to look at the curriculum for teaching history in schools.

Do you think that individuals applying for UK citizenship should or should not have to learn the first verse of the National Anthem?

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Kelle Repass

Update: 2024-08-04

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