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Lords committee urges review of the Life in the UK test

The Justice and Home Affairs Committee of the House of Lords has published a letter to Home Office Minister urging the Government to immediately begin a review of the Life in the UK Test.

The letter, which is signed by the chair of the committee, Baroness Hamwee, summarises the Committee’s findings from its inquiry into the Life in the UK test. It has been conducting the inquiry throughout 2022.

The Committee made several criticisms of the existing test and test arrangements, including:

  • an official handbook full of obscure facts and subjective assertions (including offensive historical content),
  • inaccessible test centres,
  • poorly-phrased questions that trivialise the process, and
  • costs that can be prohibitive for some.

The Committee pressed the Government to conduct a review of the Test and of its associated handbook. The Committee described a review as ‘long-overdue’.

You can read the letter here:

https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/519/justice-and-home-affairs-committee/news/171778/lords-committee-requests-urgent-review-of-the-life-in-the-uk-test/

Home Secretary proposes changes to the Life in the UK Test

The Home Secretary has proposed a series of reforms to British citizenship.

The reforms include proposals to reform the Life in the UK test to give greater prominence to the British values and principles expected of those wishing to call the UK their permanent home.  The Home Office says the proposals would ensure that the test is more relevant to daily life and culture in the UK.

There are also proposals for tougher English language requirements for people applying for British citizenship.

A public consultation will be brought forward on the Life in the UK test.

He also outlined that powers to deprive individuals of their British citizenship will be applied to individuals convicted of the most serious criminal offences, where it is in the public interest.

Arrangements for the Life in the UK Test will remain unchanged for now. Any changes to the test and study materials would be made and implemented after the completion of the public consultation.