History test for would-be Britons

London: Immigrants will finally be made to take a British history test under plans to slash the number of passports handed out to foreigners each year.

It ends a four-year refusal by the Home Office to make migrants applying for citizenship prove they have studied the country's traditions and learnt about figures such as Sir Winston Churchill.

Officials had previously claimed that Britain had "too much" history and a test would not be fair.

The test will be the final stage of a points-based citizenship scheme unveiled today.

New rules will also bar migrants who jeer at troops or "show disregard for UK values" from gaining passports.

Immigration minister Phil Woolas said the scheme would stop the population reaching the 70 million predicted by Whitehall statisticians and bring "control" to the migration system. He said that increasing the population - which currently stands at 61 million - by such an amount was "not sustainable".

The number of passports handed out to migrants is on course to hit a record of almost 220,000 this year.

At present, those who work legally in Britain for five years can gain citizenship if they pass a multiple- choice Life in the UK test.

This concentrates on subjects such as how to contact the emergency services and claim benefits, but does not include any questions on history, to the fury of opposition MPs and campaigners.

Under the new system, migrants will also have to earn points. These will be awarded for earning potential, special skills, qualifications, working in an occupation of which there is a shortage, speaking a good standard of English and even being willing to live in a more remote part of the country.

The number needed will be adjusted on a regular basis to limit the passports given out.

Points could be deducted for serious criminal or anti-social behaviour or "circumstances where an active disregard for UK values is demonstrated".

Woolas said: "If you are demonstrating against our soldiers or being disrespectful, that could be taken into account. The things that really do enrage people."

Yesterday's consultation paper says the system will break the link between economic migration and citizenship.

The history test will take place after a migrant has taken the Life in the UK test, undergone the points assessment and completed a period of "earned citizenship" - normally between one and three years. If they carry out voluntary work, the citizenship process could be speeded up. Controversially, this could include trade union activism.

Inquiry launched

An inquiry has been launched after a suspected illegal immigrant smuggled himself into Britain under a coach carrying officials from the UK Border Agency who were returning from working in France. However, officials say the vehicle's driver will not be fined because he carried out sufficient checks before setting off through the Channel tunnel. The suspected illegal immigrant hid in a space next to the fuel tank and took flight once the coach reached Britain. The driver tried to catch him, but was unsuccessful.
- Guardian News & Media Ltd.