Values
The principles of British life, your responsibilities as a resident, and the freedoms you get in return.
Fundamental principles
- British society is built on shared values and principles that all residents are expected to respect
- The four fundamental principles are democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs
- Democracy means the UK is governed by representatives chosen in free elections
- The rule of law means everyone, including the government, is equally subject to the law
- Individual liberty means the freedom to live as you choose, within the law
- Tolerance means respecting people of different faiths, beliefs and backgrounds
- These values are upheld by law, custom and expectation, with no place for extremism or intolerance
Democracy gives you a voice, the rule of law keeps it fair, liberty lets you choose, and tolerance means everyone else can too.
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Responsibilities & freedoms
- Residents are expected to respect and obey the law
- Everyone should respect other people's rights and opinions, even where they disagree
- Residents are expected to treat everyone equally, regardless of background
- You are expected to look after yourself and your family, without relying unnecessarily on the state
- Residents should look after their local area and the environment
- In return, the UK guarantees freedom of belief, speech and from unfair discrimination
- Everyone also has the right to a fair trial and the right to vote in elections
Duties come first: obey the law, respect others, support yourself and care for your area. Freedoms come back: belief, speech, fair trials and the vote.
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Becoming a citizen or resident
- The Life in the UK Test is required for settlement and for naturalisation as a British citizen
- Indefinite leave to remain (ILR) removes any time limit on how long you can stay in the UK
- After ILR, most people can apply for naturalisation after a further 12 months, unless married to a British citizen
- A National Insurance number is needed to work, pay tax and claim benefits
- New citizens attend a citizenship ceremony, where they make an oath or affirmation and a pledge
- The pledge commits new citizens to loyalty to the UK and to upholding its democratic values and laws
- At the ceremony, new citizens also sing the national anthem
Test, leave, naturalise, pledge: pass the test, get indefinite leave to remain, apply to naturalise, then pledge loyalty at the ceremony.
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Taking part in your community
- Volunteering helps the community and is a way to meet people, gain skills and support local services
- Volunteers help with hospitals, youth projects, schools and environmental projects, among others
- Blood donation helps people who are ill or injured; organ donation can be registered to help people needing transplants
- Being a good neighbour means being considerate and respecting other people's property
- Looking after the environment includes recycling, reducing waste, and walking or using public transport where possible
- Community participation is one of the UK's fundamental principles, alongside democracy, the rule of law and tolerance
Give time, give blood, give a hand next door: volunteering, donation and being a good neighbour all count as community participation.
7 questions