Immigrants to take loyalty pledge

Immigrants who want to become British citizens will have to take a pledge of loyalty to the UK and sing the national anthem under proposals published by ministers.

Pilots of the new American-style citizenship ceremonies will begin early next year and are expected to be rolled out nationally in April.

The pilot areas are Brent, Liverpool, Wandsworth, Oldham, Kent, Cardiff, Telford and Glasgow.

Dignitaries such as the local mayor, MP or provost will be invited to make a speech and present citizenship certificates.

Applicants will be expected to have "sufficient knowledge" of English, or Welsh or Gaelic, and pass a "Britishness test" on practical aspects of life in the UK and its institutions.

Home Secretary David Blunkett is keen to review the existing low-key naturalisation process which is carried out by post.

Immigration minister Beverley Hughes said: "Becoming a British citizen should not be about obtaining a bit of paper and a passport.

"It is something to be celebrated, both by those who qualify and by the wider communities of which they are a part. Citizenship ceremonies will enable more focus to be placed on the fact that citizenship carries with it both rights and responsibilities."

New citizens will continue to swear allegiance to the Queen but will also make a new pledge to uphold the UK's rights, freedoms and democratic values.

The pledge, according to the consultation paper, is likely to read: "I will give my loyalty to the United Kingdom and respect its rights and freedoms. I will uphold its democratic values. I will observe its laws faithfully and fulfil my duties and obligations as a British citizen."

Most watched News videos