UK citizenship test to be investigated by Lords committee

Over the course of its inquiry, the committee will consider whether a test is the best way of assessing the civic knowledge of new long-term residents and citizens and, if so, consider whether the current test needs reforming. It will seek views from overseas and from those who took the test.

The committee will hold its first evidence session as part of the inquiry tomorrow, Tuesday 29 March at 10am, which can be followed live on Parliament TV. The committee will explore the origins of the Life in the UK test, assess whether its original objectives were met, and consider what would be alternative means to achieve these objectives.

Giving evidence will be:

• Sunder Katwala, Director of British Future
• Professor Dina Kiwan, Professor in Comparative Education, University of Birmingham
• Madeleine Sumption MBE, Director of the Migration Observatory, University of Oxford

Questions the committee is likely to ask 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”?
• What lessons can be learnt from citizenship tests or alternative mechanisms implemented overseas? What do you consider the best way of assessing civic knowledge?
• Are there unintended and unwelcome consequences to the test and to the underlying requirement to demonstrate "sufficient knowledge about Life in the United Kingdom"?
• 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 are the direct and indirect costs incurred by the test for those taking it?