‘Pass a British values test to get citizenship’
Minister hits out at current ‘pub quiz’
PEOPLE SEEKING UK citizenship must pass a “British values test”, Sajid Javid said, as he criticised the existing “pub quiz” examination.
The Home Secretary stressed his belief that immigration has been good for Britain as he outlined his hopes for the country to continue to be open and tolerant after Brexit.
He added “newcomers” should be expected to live by “British values” and said the existing “Life in the UK” test is “not enough”, noting it is far more important for people to understand what binds society together, rather than the name of Henry VIII’s sixth wife.
Mr Javid also outlined moves to strip dual-citizens of their British citizenship if they are convicted of “grave” criminal offences, such as those involved in gang-based child sexual exploitation.
And he accused Jeremy Corbyn of being a “threat to our national security” during an attack on the Labour leader.
Mr Javid’s remarks came in a speech containing several references about his upbringing and vision for the country, in what could be viewed as a pitch to members about his credentials as a future leadership contender.
Speaking at the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham yesterday, Mr Javid said: “We welcome newcomers. In turn, we expect them to live by our British values. And it is only right that we make it clear to all new citizens what we are for, and what we are against.
“The existing ‘Life in the UK’ test for new citizens is not enough. Maybe it is helpful for people to know the name of the sixth wife of Henry VIII.
“But far more important to me is that they also understand the liberal, democratic values that bind our society together.
“Citizenship should mean more than being able to win a pub quiz. We need to make it a British values test – and that’s exactly what I will bring in.
“It’s about signing up to those values that we share and live by together. It’s about starting as you mean to go on. It’s about integration, not segregation.”
Mr Javid also said the Government would strengthen the English language requirements for all new citizens.
He criticised the “medieval” practice of forced marriage and outlined proposals to refuse spousal entry to the UK where there is evidence of it occurring.
Mr Javid said: “We will consult on making it a mandatory duty for professionals to report forced marriage whenever they come across it.
“And when women have the courage to come forward and inform us that they have been forced to sponsor a spousal visa against their will, we will not only protect their anonymity but we will do everything we can to deny or revoke that visa.”
The Cabinet minister earlier confirmed middle-class drug users will be targeted in a purge on the causes of violent crime, saying that sudden bursts of violence can be linked to shifts in the drugs market.
It’s about signing up to those values that we share. Home Secretary Sajid Javid on his plans for UK citizenship.