According to peers, the official test that applicants for British citizenship must pass “alienates” and “offends” those who take it.
The Life in the UK Test, according to a Lord’s committee, needs to be quickly reviewed since some of its information is unreliable, unimportant, and deceptive.
Before being granted British citizenship or permission to settle in this nation, applicants must read the Life in the UK booklet and pay £50 to sit the test.
The passing percentage is 75%.
‘The material of the current edition of the Life in the UK handbook comes off as a random selection of esoteric facts and subjective assertions that most people would not know, trivializing the process,’ the House of Lords justice and home affairs committee report, which was released today, stated.
“The history chapter’s material is so offensively disrespectful. It must be replaced immediately.
“The rights and obligations of engaged citizens can be dealt with seriously without being stodgy or impenetrable,” said committee head Baroness Hamwee.
“The Government should approach the reform of the Life in the UK Test and of its corresponding guidebook as an urgent matter.
Not doing so is disrespectful to individuals who want to immigrate to or live permanently in our nation.
Some of the words used by witnesses to our inquiry included “trivial,” “outdated,” and “undermining British ideals.”
It is – or should be – no joke that the UK test’s most frequently asked question was on what to do if you accidentally spill beer on someone at the bar.
The criteria is neither respected in the UK or overseas, said Baroness Hamwee.
Should applicants be forced to memorize information on the location where the owner of the first curry house in the UK fled with his wife?
“The UK today is much more than cliches like roast beef and pantomimes,” says the author.
Which TWO rights are provided by the UK to citizens and permanent residents, the baroness emphasized in one of the questions.
While “Freedom of speech and a right to a fair trial” is the right response, other multiple-choice options included “Free groceries for everyone and a right to a fair trial,” “Long lunch breaks on Friday and a right to a fair trial,” and “Freedom of speech and free groceries for everyone” are also acceptable choices.
‘Individuals who took the test informed us they had felt uncomfortable with some improper content, such as the British Empire being portrayed as “a force for good in the globe,”‘ the committee wrote in a letter to immigration minister Kevin Foster.
Even that the test would turn off some candidates was mentioned to us.
Spokesman for the Home Office: “The Life in the UK test is crucial for anyone applying to live permanently in the UK to ensure they have a comprehension of the democratic ideals underpinning British society and components of our culture and traditions.
In the coming 12 months, “We want to set out our plans to review the handbook as part of broader nationality changes and we will take into account the committee’s recommendations.”