According to reports from UK China Network, recently, UK Prime Minister Cameron publicly stated that measures will be taken to control immigration, including reforms to the Permanent Residency Test (Life in the UK Test). The future content of the Permanent Residency Test will include historical questions, such as those about Churchill, the Magna Carta, and the English Civil War, while questions regarding the European Union and immigration rights will be removed.
The UK government established the Permanent Residency Test system in 2005, hoping to ensure that immigrants possess sufficient knowledge of British background. However, public criticism of the Permanent Residency Test has been ongoing; although regulations require applicants to understand British history, the test does not include this part, instead asking them how the EU was created, how to apply for benefits, and even how to buy alcohol in a pub.
On October 10, during a speech in London, Cameron stated that the Permanent Residency Test should carry more weight, and measures will be taken to reform the testing system in the future.
“There is a large chapter in the Permanent Residency Test book about British history, but the actual test has no related questions.”
“Instead, you will find various questions about the role and function of the EU, as well as some related to the British welfare system.”
“Therefore, we plan to reform the Permanent Residency Test to make British history and culture the core of the examination.”
This means that future tests will include topics such as Roman rule, Boudica, the Norman Conquest, the Magna Carta and King John, the Wars of the Roses, Elizabeth I, the English Civil War, Churchill, and significant events of World War II. Questions regarding the EU and the rights and restrictions of EU citizens in terms of work and travel will be removed.
Cameron also called on the public to participate more in activities to combat illegal immigration and to actively report such individuals. In his speech, Cameron also hinted that forced marriage may become a crime in the future. Meanwhile, the Migration Advisory Committee is also considering whether to set the salary threshold for individuals wishing to bring family partners to the UK at over £20,000, and may also consider the nature of the relationship between the two individuals.
