Friday 08 February 2013
Overseas nationals who are seeking permanent residence in the UK or Islands or naturalisation as a British citizen, are first required to demonstrate their knowledge of language and life in the UK and Islands. The Life in the UK and Islands test is one of the ways that an applicant can demonstrate this knowledge. The tests are administered by the Guernsey College of Further Education on behalf of the Guernsey Border Agency.
The test is based on the handbook 'Life in the United Kingdom; A journey to citizenship' and on a Bailiwick of Guernsey Supplement and consists of 24 questions, 6 of which focus on life in the Bailiwick. The pass mark for the test is 75%.
The United Kingdom has very recently announced that it has completely re-written and updated the Life in the UK handbook, which was made available to purchase from 28 January 2013. The new handbook 'Life in the United Kingdom: A guide for new residents' focuses on values and principles at the heart of being British and is designed to help ensure migrants are ready and able to integrate into British society. The new book celebrates British achievements and prominent individuals, including in science, culture, literature and sport. The book also deals with government, democracy, the UK legal system and how individuals can contribute to their community, placing a greater emphasis on the responsibilities as well as the privileges of living in the UK.
The content of the Bailiwick of Guernsey Supplement is kept under regular review but there is no intention to make any significant changes at this time.
The revised test will be introduced in the UK on 25 March 2013. The first test at the Guernsey College of Further Education using material from the new book will take place in June 2013, to allow candidates time to prepare. Tests taken in Guernsey prior to 25 March 2013 will be based on the previous edition of the handbook.
The Guernsey College of Further Education administered 6 tests in 2012. 74 candidates sat the test, 61 passed and 13 failed, giving a pass rate of 82%
Further information:
The new handbook 'Life in the United Kingdom - A guide of new residents' will be available in a variety of formats including print, downloadable PDF, eBook, large print and as an audio CD. It will be made available from the Stationery Office shop, Amazon and via various retailers and high street booksellers. The ISBN is 978 011341340 9
The Bailiwick of Guernsey Supplement can be obtained from the Passport Office, Guernsey Border Agency, New Jetty, White Rock, St Peter Port, Guernsey.
