Committee discusses the Life in the UK test
The Justice and Home Affairs is holding its first oral evidence session as part of its inquiry into the Life in the UK test.
Meeting details
At 10.00am: Oral evidence
Inquiry
The Life in the UK test
Director at Migration Observatory
Director at British Future
Head of Department at The Department for Education and Social Justice, The University of Birmingham
The Justice and Home Affairs Committee is launching a short inquiry into the “Life in the UK” test, that those applying for citizenship or Indefinite Leave to Remain must pass. Witnesses will discuss the merits and shortcomings of the current test, the experiences of those taking the test, and potential alternatives to a test.
Possible questions
Likely questions include:
- Legislation requires long-term residents and prospective citizens to have “sufficient knowledge about life in the United Kingdom”. What do you understand by “sufficient knowledge about life in the United Kingdom”?
- The Life in the UK test was introduced in 2005 to assess whether applicants have “sufficient knowledge about life in the UK”. Does it achieve its intended purpose?
- Over two million people have taken the Life in the UK test. What do we know about their experience? Do different groups experience the test differently?
- What lessons can be learnt from citizenship tests or alternative mechanisms implemented overseas? What do you consider the best way of assessing civic knowledge?