Policy Press

Reforming the UK’s Citizenship Test

Building Bridges, Not Barriers

By Thom Brooks

Published

Apr 29, 2022

Page count

144 pages

ISBN

978-1529218527

Dimensions

203 x 127 mm

Imprint

Bristol University Press

Published

Apr 29, 2022

Page count

144 pages

ISBN

978-1529218534

Dimensions

203 x 127 mm

Imprint

Bristol University Press

Published

Apr 29, 2022

Page count

144 pages

ISBN

978-1529218534

Dimensions

203 x 127 mm

Imprint

Bristol University Press
Reforming the UK’s Citizenship Test

How many questions could you answer in a pub quiz about British values?

Designed to ensure new migrants have accepted British values and integrated, the UK's citizenship test is often portrayed as a bad pub quiz with answers few citizens know. With the launch of a new post-Brexit immigration system, this is a critical time to change the test.

Thom Brooks draws on first-hand experience of taking the test, and interviews with key figures including past Home Secretaries, to expose the test as ineffective and a barrier to citizenship. This accessible guide offers recommendations for transforming the citizenship test into a ‘bridge to citizenship’ which fosters greater inclusion and integration.

Thom Brooks is the Dean of Durham Law School at Durham University.

1. A Bad Pub Quiz

2. Why Test for Citizenship?

3. A New Beginning

4. Not Learning from Mistakes

5. From Trivia to Trivial

6. Building Bridges and a Better Test

7. Conclusion and Recommendations