Experts to devise 'Britishness' test

David Blunkett, the Home Secretary, has appointed a team of experts to devise a "Britishness" test which he wants to be taken by all immigrants who wish to take British citizenship.

Mr Blunkett's panel includes two academics, an education officer, a teacher and a former social worker, who have been asked to draw up a syllabus on "UK society and civic structures".

The chairman will be Professor Sir Bernard Crick, emeritus professor of politics at Birkbeck College, London.

Professor Crick's team will also help to devise a citizenship ceremony and explore the possibility of providing "mentors" to help immigrants integrate with their local communities.

The plans form part of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Bill, which is before the Lords. Mr Blunkett said: "The Government intends to make gaining British citizenship meaningful and celebratory rather than simply a bureaucratic process." He said he hoped the tests would help to "promote language skills and practical knowledge about the UK for those seeking to become British citizens".

When Mr Blunkett was Education Secretary he made Professor Crick chairman of the Advisory Committee on Citizenship in Education, which Mr Blunkett created because he was anxious about poor levels of political knowledge. He also commissioned the professor to write the first report for government on citizenship education in 40 years.

Professor Crick, 72, who lives in Edinburgh, wrote a highly regarded biography of George Orwell, published in 1980. His other works include In Defence of Politics and The American Science of Politics. He is a former joint editor and now literary editor of the Political Quarterly.

Professor Tim Brighouse, Birmingham's chief education officer, is also on the panel.