Immigrants to the UK wishing to become British will take part in special language and citizenship classes from next year under major proposals being unveiled by the government.

This is from a BNP website:

* * *
JUDGES IGNORE THE PEOPLE'S WISHES

Regular viewers of this site will probably be surprised when I say that I have some sympathy for Home Secretary David Blunket. This is in regard to the liberal judges' eagerness to overrule his long overdue attempts to curb the record flow of 'asylum' seekers into Britain.
The issue was the Government's new law to remove benefits from late applicants claiming asylum. As they have grudgingly admitted, this was in response to the BNP adding another Council seat scalp (Halifax) to its growing tally. Mr Justice Collins ruled in the High Court that the new law was a breach of the scroungers' - sorry, asylum seekers' human rights as it fell foul of Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights. Top judge Wolfe has pursued the same legal line. No wonder Blunkett growled: "If public policy can always be overridden by individual challenge through the courts, then democracy itself is under threat".

i think it's pretty ridiculous and it kind of makes me embarrassed to be britishes.

Good luck Marianna I am sure you will do 100% fine! Although I didn't even know these existed either...

-- Nichole Graham (britbab...) (webmail), September 3rd, 2003 1:51 AM. (Nichole Graham) (link)

A lot of English "citizens" living in Wales complain that they have to learn Welsh anyway.

With Marianna's British citizenship test, I'm sure I didn't know half of it, despite being a British Citizen from birth. Though some of the cultural questions were quite funny. It was almost like reading an ILX thread - "Explain me the Round System in Pubs" etc.

sounds like the registration process often takes longer than the test itself. you'll know if you passed immediately, and DON'T lose the little paper they give you, as you'll need it for both ILR (starting in APril, at least) and naturalisation.

from another website, here's some questions and answers that have come up:

Q: In the 1970s, the majority of British immigrants arrived from what two areas?
Q: A married woman has always had the right to divorce her husband.
Q: The average pay rate for women is lower than the pay rate for men by what percentage?
Q: Most young people take their GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education) exams at what age?
Q: At what age can people buy tobacco?
Q: Is cannabis legal or illegal in the UK?
Q: Britain has an ageing population.
Q: Ethnic minority groups make up approximately what percentage of the British population?
Q: What percentage of the population of Britain are Roman Catholic?
Q: On what day is it a common custom to hold a two-minute silence at 11:00am?
Q: Which Cabinet member is responsible for law and order?
Q: What authority does the King or Queen have relating to shaping government matters?
Q: MPs are required to belong to a political party.
Q: What is the goal of Pressure Groups?
Q: Who investigates serious complaints against the police?
Q: Britain has signed the European Convention on Human Rights.
Q: Citizens of the UK, the Irish Republic, or the Commonwealth may stand for public office beginning at what age?
Q: The only way to contact your MP is through their office in the House of Commons.

1) T/F Migration to Britain began in the 1950s.
2) Who is Head of State?
3) What is the day after Christmas called?
4) In what year did women receive voting rights at the same age as men?
5) In Britain, how many children are there under the age of 19?
6) What percentage of children live in a stepfamily?
7) Young people take the A levels at what age?
8 ) How many young people move onto higher education after school?
9) Which two of the following jobs are common for children to work in?
10) T/F Britain's population growth since 1951 is greater than the average growth for countries in the EU.
11) T/F The census is delivered to households throughout the country and, by law, must be completed
12) What percentage of the population reported they have a religion?
13) T/F The Queen has to abide by what Parliament decides.
14) T/F The majority of people in Britain live in cities/ suburbs.
15) T/F Britain signed the European Convention on Human Rights.
16) T/F The Opposition is guaranteed time in Parliament to debate mattered of its own choice.
17) T/F There is only 1 Parliament in the countries of the UK.
18 ) T/F In the 'First Past the Post' system, the candidate in a constituency who gains the largest number of votes is elected.
19) How may countries currently make up the EU?
20) What is the electoral register?
21) What deposit must a candidate pay if standing for office as an MP?
22) Who replaced Neville Chamberlain in 1940 as prime minister?
23) On what day is a 2 minute silence held at 11am?
24) What percentage of women with children are in paid work?

and more questions...

From what two areas did most migrants come from in the 1970s?
When did women first get the right to vote?
How many people under 19?
(T/F) Most women with school-age children do not work.
What proportion of young people move on to higher education after school?
How old do you have to be to buy tobacco?
(T/F) It is legal to smoke cannabis or use ecstasy in your own home.
(T/F) Most young people are involved in their communities.
(T/F) Ethnic minorities make up more than 10% of the population.
(T/F) Britain has an aging population.
(T/F) Everyone in Britain has the right to religious freedom.
(T/F) The monarch has the right to publicly state his/her political views.
(T/F) The monarch can only marry a Protestant.
Where do you hear a Geordie accent?
What is the day after Christmas called?
Who replaced Neville Chamberlain as PM in 1940?
What institution can make rules that the UK has to follow?
Who is the leader of the opposition?
(T/F) Britain has a free press.
(T/F) The monarch may only express opinions to the PM in private.
[Of the following] What topic can only the main UK parliament deal with? (Defense) note: No options so answer listed Smiley
In what month are local council elections held?
[Of the following] what must a candidate for Parliament do? (Pay a deposit) note: No options so answer listed Smiley
(T/F) Leading up to a general election, the main political parties must pay for broadcast time for party political broadcasts.

1) Which court system uses a jury?
2) About what percentage of the UK population lives in England?
3) What percentage of the UK pop is Catholic?
4) At what age do citizens get the right to vote?
5) At what age did women get the right to vote at the same age as men?
6) The purpose of the census is?
7) Where were bus crews recruited from in the 1950's?
8 ) The UK parliament has sole jurisdiction over decisions about…
9) (T/F) Everyone in Britain has the right to religious freedom
10) (T/F) A woman has always had the right to divorce her husband
11) (T/F) The Queen can publicly oppose Parliament
12) Which country in the UK has local authorities with the greatest amount of control over the services they deliver?
13) Who can ask questions of the Prime Minister at Question Time?
14) What is the electoral register?
15) At about what age do young people take GCSEs?
16) Who is the Speaker of the House?
17) Who is the Leader of the Opposition?
18 ) On what day is it customary to hold a two minute silence at 11am?
19) At what age can a person stand for election

Q: In the 1970s, the majority of British immigrants arrived from what two areas? UGANDA/BANGLADESH [CAN I INCLUDE BANGLADESH AND PAKISTAN AS ONE ANSWER -- TECHNICALLY CORRECT [IIRC] UP TO... WHENEVER???]

Q: A married woman has always had the right to divorce her husband. NAW

Q: The average pay rate for women is lower than the pay rate for men by what percentage? SEARCH ME GUV

Q: Most young people take their GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education) exams at what age? I WAS 15. OTHERS WERE 16.

Q: At what age can people buy tobacco? 16

Q: Is cannabis legal or illegal in the UK? ILLEGAL

Q: Britain has an ageing population. ERANU

Q: Ethnic minority groups make up approximately what percentage of the British population? 12%??

Q: What percentage of the population of Britain are Roman Catholic? NO IDEA

Q: On what day is it a common custom to hold a two-minute silence at 11:00am? 11/11 NEVER FORGET EAGLE ;_;

Q: Which Cabinet member is responsible for law and order? lol JOHN REID

Q: What authority does the King or Queen have relating to shaping government matters? WHAT THE FUCK DOES 'GOVERNMENT MATTERS' MEAN?

Q: MPs are required to belong to a political party. NO

Q: What is the goal of Pressure Groups? EXERTING PRESSURE

Q: Who investigates serious complaints against the police? SOME FUCKEN QUANGO

Q: Britain has signed the European Convention on Human Rights. YEAH

Q: Citizens of the UK, the Irish Republic, or the Commonwealth may stand for public office beginning at what age? DUNNO

Q: The only way to contact your MP is through their office in the House of Commons. NO. I EMAILED MINE. SHE PROBABLY HAS A BLOG EVEN.

1) T/F Migration to Britain began in the 1950s. NO, BUT KIND OF.

2) Who is Head of State? ... THE QUEEN?

3) What is the day after Christmas called? BOXING DAY

4) In what year did women receive voting rights at the same age as men? TRICK QUESTION. I CAN'T FUCKING REMEMBER BUT MEN HAD THE VOTE BASED ON A PROPERTY FRANCHISE, NOT AN AGE FRANCHISE, FOR MOST OF THIS NATION'S HISTORY, JACKASS.

5) In Britain, how many children are there under the age of 19? WAHT

6) What percentage of children live in a stepfamily? NO CLUE

7) Young people take the A levels at what age? I WAS 17. SHIT BUT THEY HAVE TWO TYPES OF A-LEVEL NOW, A1 AND A2. SO ANY AGE BETWEEN 16-18.

8 ) How many young people move onto higher education after school? MILLIONS, LITERALLY

9) Which two of the following jobs are common for children to work in? -

10) T/F Britain's population growth since 1951 is greater than the average growth for countries in the EU. T?

11) T/F The census is delivered to households throughout the country and, by law, must be completed ERM, T?

12) What percentage of the population reported they have a religion? WAY MORE THAN ACTUALLY HAVE A RELIGION

13) T/F The Queen has to abide by what Parliament decides. BASICALLY T? DEFINE 'HAS TO'.

14) T/F The majority of people in Britain live in cities/ suburbs. T

15) T/F Britain signed the European Convention on Human Rights. T

16) T/F The Opposition is guaranteed time in Parliament to debate mattered of its own choice. T?

17) T/F There is only 1 Parliament in the countries of the UK. F

18 ) T/F In the 'First Past the Post' system, the candidate in a constituency who gains the largest number of votes is elected. CLEARLY IT IS THE FIRST TO GET PAST THE POST WHO WINS.

19) How may countries currently make up the EU? DUNNO

20) What is the electoral register? LIST OF VOTERS?

21) What deposit must a candidate pay if standing for office as an MP? £500?

22) Who replaced Neville Chamberlain in 1940 as prime minister? WINSTON CHURCHILL

23) On what day is a 2 minute silence held at 11am? DONE THIS

24) What percentage of women with children are in paid work? DUNNO

and more questions...

From what two areas did most migrants come from in the 1970s? DONE THIS
When did women first get the right to vote? ERM, NO SINGLE YEAR, AGE LIMIT WAS LOWERED PROGRESSIVELY
How many people under 19? WHAT AM I A STATISTICIAN?
(T/F) Most women with school-age children do not work. F
What proportion of young people move on to higher education after school? 70%?
How old do you have to be to buy tobacco? 16
(T/F) It is legal to smoke cannabis or use ecstasy in your own home. F
(T/F) Most young people are involved in their communities. WHAT THE FUCK DOES THAT MEAN?
(T/F) Ethnic minorities make up more than 10% of the population. MAYBE JUST OVER THAT? IS POLISH 'ETHNIC' NOW?
(T/F) Britain has an aging population. T
(T/F) Everyone in Britain has the right to religious freedom. NO, THEY ARE SUBJECT TO ANTI-DISCRIMINATION LAWS LOL (T/F) The monarch has the right to publicly state his/her political views. INTERESTING QUESTION.
(T/F) The monarch can only marry a Protestant. COE
Where do you hear a Geordie accent? FROM MOUTH OF GEORDIE PERSON.
What is the day after Christmas called? BOXING DAY
Who replaced Neville Chamberlain as PM in 1940? WINSTON CHURCHILL
What institution can make rules that the UK has to follow? WHITE HOUSE!!!!11!!1!
Who is the leader of the opposition? DAVID CAMERON
(T/F) Britain has a free press. F
(T/F) The monarch may only express opinions to the PM in private. FUCK SHOULD I KNOW
(T/F) Leading up to a general election, the main political parties must pay for broadcast time for party political broadcasts. F

1) Which court system uses a jury? MOST
2) About what percentage of the UK population lives in England? 80%?
3) What percentage of the UK pop is Catholic? NO IDEA
4) At what age do citizens get the right to vote? 18
5) At what age did women get the right to vote at the same age as men? DONE THIS
6) The purpose of the census is? KEYNSIAN CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYMENT SCHEME
7) Where were bus crews recruited from in the 1950's? WEST INDIES ETC
8 ) The UK parliament has sole jurisdiction over decisions about… NOTHING
9) (T/F) Everyone in Britain has the right to religious freedom F
10) (T/F) A woman has always had the right to divorce her husband F
11) (T/F) The Queen can publicly oppose Parliament PROBABLY F RLY
12) Which country in the UK has local authorities with the greatest amount of control over the services they deliver? SCOTLAND?
13) Who can ask questions of the Prime Minister at Question Time? ANY1
14) What is the electoral register? SONE
15) At about what age do young people take GCSEs? 15-16
16) Who is the Speaker of the House? WHATEVER
17) Who is the Leader of the Opposition? DAVID CAMERON
18 ) On what day is it customary to hold a two minute silence at 11am? DONE

At a guess I'd say 15% of the population is Catholic.

According to Wikipedia, there are an estimated 5 million baptized Roman Catholics in Britain.

(Defense)

do you get kicked out if you spell it like that?

Oh yes...to keep more useless civil servants and "consultants" on the public payroll, silly me...

Thanks for the practice questions, Colette! Based on those I'm going to ace the test! WOO!

Are New New Labour serious about the EDUCATION CRISIS or are they just THICK PLANKTONS?

Perhaps they'll get Zoe Williams to compile a revised questionnaire. Swot up on your Sophie Kinsella now!

it's not (always) the 11th is it, but the nearest sunday following, remembrance sunday.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armistice_Day

COS I'M LIKE HUNGOVER AND SHIT

What a fucking waste.

It's not a trick question! The silence is observed during the cenotaph ceremony what is televised and on the radio: this happens on remembrance sunday.

-- ampersand, spades, semicolon (cispontin...), January 26th, 2007.

no, question says 'common custom', not state-sanctioned one.

On day itself is unofficial but has been heavily promoted by the British Legion in recent years.

I mean, come on, I don't know lots of those things about my own country either (number of catholics in Belgium? "way too many"), I hardly ever see my neighbours (big city alienation and so on), which would make me "not integrated" if I were foreign. ???

PARTRIDGE: I certainly am, I support the law fully. Not too keen on those that break it, though.

MORRIS: How do you support it, then?

PARTRIDGE: Just generally... support it.

MORRIS: What, just generally turn up on a Saturday afternoon and wave at it from the touchline?

Sorry, you're out.

OK, you're in!

Ye're in, pal!

it's the same here, but i know that i was at some point expected to know the answers to a lot of the questions on the exam. like, in high school, when i was taking american history and civics and shit. so, it's not just that average joe doesn't know arcane facts about the country omg, it's more that they forgot them/never bothered absorbing them in the first place/dropped out of school/whatever.

> When did it become a two-minute silence? Or has it always been? There's a question for you

wikipedia:
...The two minutes recall World War I and World War II. Before 1945 the silence was for one minute...

(which i've pointed out before. please pay attention.)

it also says '2nd sunday in november' which could possibly be *before* the 11th...

oh, and for whoever asked, all the questions and answers are available from 'life in the UK: a journey to citizenship', written by the home office and available on amazon.

I'm still amazing anyone would want to be American.

Woo hoo! My application has been approved and I shall be affirming allegience to the Queen on June the 11th! Dual citizenship is MINE!

Hurrah - well done. Can we have a party to celebrate your hard-won Britishness? I think we should.

Beefeater costumes essential.

Swearing allegiance to the Queen is great! My mum had to do that when she was naturalised. Congratulations!

(n.b. she will not be there. The Queen, that is.)

Well done you! Did you have any tricky questions after all that?

I think the Queen SHOULD be there. Surely they can record Deal or not Deal for her?

Maybe she doesn't have that extra ounce of courage to attend.

Thanks! I'm so pleased. Now I can go on the dole! (note to Home Office: kidding!)

And yes, I think a celebratory Aussie/British themed party is in order.

congrats! that's so exciting for you!

how long did they have your application? they've had mine for about 5 weeks and i haven't had a confirmation letter or anything yet...

Hmm. I'd be a bit concerned about not having received a confirmation letter by now. Have they taken the fee out of your account yet?

I sent my application off in early March and received a confirmation letter about three weeks later, so it took just over two months in total. That said, they still haven't returned my Australian passport yet and I kind of need it to go to Sonar next month.