Over two million have sat the ‘Life in the UK’ citizenship test since its launch in 2005. Yet, there has never been any official review into whether it achieves its intended purpose and neither have citizens old or new been consulted in how the test might be improved. These are not reasons to abandon having the test and I believe it can have value, but this requires urgent and substantive reforms.

This book has detailed the many problems that have plagued the citizenship test since its rushed launch that has improved little over three editions. These problems should be no surprise to the government, with various reports and comment pieces calling them to action. It will be over eight years since the last edition in 2013 and the longest stretch of an uncorrected, not updated test handbook in its history. Britain has left the European Union and the government is making a number of reforms to how the immigration system works. The time has never been better to review, refresh and relaunch the test to ensure it is fit for purpose and achieves its objectives. We should learn from the examples of citizenship tests abroad, but follow more closely the American example, as Australia has done already.

Kevin Foster MP, the current Immigration Minister, has said that ‘when the Life in the UK handbook is next reviewed, the Home Office will consider all feedback on what should be covered in it’. So, let me summarize 20 specific recommendations set across this book to inform how the next fourth edition of the test handbook should be refreshed, revised and relaunched:

• 1. A new Citizenship Advisory Group must be launched. This should be a modest size including experts who have experienced naturalization first- hand. They should take inspiration from the original Life in the UK Advisory Group as an independent, non- partisan body to advise the government on the citizenship test and citizenship ceremonies.

• 2. The test handbook should state on its cover the date from which tests are based on its contents. It must be clear from when the test handbook is the relevant text. Applicants should not be confused as to which available version is the source of information for their test.

• 3. The test handbook should retain its reader- friendly format. This includes accessible formats, including large print and braille.