As a condition of gaining Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK (which you are eligible for after two years of marriage to a British citizen), I have to pass a ‘LIfe in the UK Test’. I heard that it is one of the most ridiculous tests, featuring questions such as what is the exact bill for TV license for one british household in 2005! (Yes, £123.35 or something like that!) Anyways, with the threat of the pass mark set at 75%, I set about studying for it like a law school exam with some notes from the Life in UK book where the facts are presented. Instead of throwing the notes away, I thought I could increase my karma and pass this on to other nervous brides having to take this exam. I actually learnt a lot about UK history and also how much people can claim for welfare. Good luck! Its not so difficult as long as you know some of the facts and its more a  test of English language I think.

CHAPTER 1

MIGRATION

1. Some of the historical reasons for immigration to the UK:

• occupiers who seized land and stayed there.
• 16th and 18th century Huguenots (French protestants) came to escape religious persecution in France.
• In 1980s, famine in Ireland.
• From 1880s to 1910, Jewish people to escape racist attacks (pogroms) from Russian empire and Poland, Ukraine and Belarus.

2. Some of the reasons for immigration to the UK since 1945:

3. The main immigrant groups coming to the UK since 1945, the countries they came from and the kind of work they did:

• After WWI, not enough people to rebuild Britain so Ireland and other parts of Europe invited.
• In 1948s, people from West Indies.
• UK encouraged immigration in 1950s. Centres in West Indies to recruit people to drive buses. Textile and engineering firms from north of England and Midlands sent agents to India and Pakistan to find workers.
• Late 1960s and early 70s, immigration fell but grew for those from ‘old’ commonwealth countries of Australia, New Zealand and Canada.
• In 1972, refugees from Uganda, Vietnam in 1970s. Since 1979, more than 25,000 refugees from South East Asia.
• In 1980s, largest immigrant groups from US, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand.
• In 1990s, former Soviet Union.

WOMEN

1. When women aged over 30 were first given the right to vote
• When WWI ended in 1918.

2. When women were given equal voting rights with men
• 1928 women won right to vote at 21, same age as men.

3. Some of the important developments to create equal rights in the workplace
• In 1960s and 1970s, increasing pressure from women for equal rights. Parliament passed new laws giving women the right to equal pay and prohibiting employers from sex discrimination.
Other info:
• In 1857, women had right divorce husband. Until 1882, when a woman got married, her earnings, property and money automatically belonged to her husband.
• In late 19th and early 20th centuries, increasing number of women campaigned for rights – suffragettes.
• Women today make up 51% of population and 45% of workforce.
• Hourly pay for women is 20% less than for men.

CHILDREN, FAMILY AND YOUNG PEOPLE:

1. The proportion of young people that go on to higher education
• 1/3. People over 16 can choose to study at Colleges of Further Education or Adult Education Centres.

2. Lifestyle patterns of children and young people (e.g. pocket money, leaving home on reaching adulthood)
• Thought to be 2 million children at work at any one time. More school girls smoke than boys. From 1 October 2007, illegal to sell tobacco or alcohol to anyone under 18. Half of all young adults, about 1/3 of population have used illegal drugs at one time.

3. Changing family patterns and attitudes to changing family patterns (e.g. divorce)
• 15 million young people upto age 19. Makes ¼ of pop.
• 65% of children live with both birth parents, almost 25% live in lone parent families and 10% live within a step family.

Other notes:
• Children between 5-16 must attend school.
• Education in Britain is free and compulsory, and that there are compulsory testing (in England and Scotland) at ages 7, 11, and 14; also GSCE and/or vocational exams at 16, and Advanced Level exams (A and AS) at 17 and 18.
• Three AS units to make AS levels, Three more to get AGCE, also called A levels.
• In Wales, take test at 7 and 11 and then national test at 14.
• There is a government target that half of all young people attend higher education.
• Young people are eligible to vote in elections from age 18. In 2001 general election, only 1/5 first time voters used votes.
• 86% of young people had taken part in some form of community event over past year and 50% had taken part in fund raising or collecting money for charity.

CHAPTER 2: UK TODAY PROFILE

POPULATION

1. Size of current UK population
• In 2005, the population of the UK was under 60 million people.

2. Population of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
• England 50.1 million (84%)Scotland 5.1 million (8%), Wales 2.9 (5%), Northern Ireland 1.7 (3%).

3. What is a census and when the next one will be
• A count of the whole population, collects statistics. Census taken every 10 years since 1801, except WWI. Next one in 2011.
4. What the largest ethnic minorities in the UK are
• People of Indian, Pakistani, Chinese, Black Caribbean, Black Africa, Bangladeshi and mixed ethnic descent make up 8.3% population. About half were born in the UK.
• White people make 54.2 (92%) population.

5. Where most ethnic minorities live in the UK?
• England, where they make up 9% of the population. 45% of all ethnic minority people live in London where they form nearly 1/3 of population. Other areas with large ethnic minority populations West Midlands, South East, North West, and Yorkshire and Humberside.

6. What languages other than English are spoken in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
• Dialects in the England such as Geordie (Tyneside), Scouse (Liverpool), and Cockney (London). In Wales, speak Welsh. In Scotland, speak Gaelic. One of the dialects spoken in Northern Ireland is called Ulster Scots.

Other facts:
• Population has grown by 7.7% since 1971.
• More people aged 60 than children under age 16. Record number of people aged 85 and above.
• Distance of UK is 870 miles (around 1,400 km).

RELIGION

1. % of the UK population who say they are Christian
• 75% said they had a religion, 70% said Christian. Only 10 % attend religious services.

2. How many people say they have no religion
• 15.5%

3. What % are Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Jewish, Buddhist
• Muslims 2.7%, Hindu 1.0%, Sikh 0.6%, Jewish 0.5%, Buddhist 0.3%, Other 0.3%

4. Patron saints days
• St. David’s day in Wales (1 March), St. Patrick’s Day in N. Ireland (17 March), St. George’s day, England (23 April), St. Andrew’s day, Scotland (30 November). These are the Four bank holidays and four other public holidays a year.

Other facts:
• In England, there is a constitutional link between church and state. The official church is church of England, aka Anglican Church and Episcopal Church (in Scotland and the US).
• Church of England is Protestant church since 1530s. Spiritual leader is Archbishop of Canterbury. Choice made by Prime Minister and Committee appointed by Church.
• Church of Scotland is Presbyterian, national and free from state control> no bishops and is governed for spiritual purposes by series of courts, most senior representative is Moderator of its annual General Assembly.
• Other Protestant Christian groups are Baptists, Presbyterians, Methodists and Quakers. 10% of Christians are Roman Catholics (40% in N. Ireland).
• National saint is called patron saint, who has a feast day. 17 march is public holiday in N. Ireland.

CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS

1. Which sports are most popular in the UK
• Football, tennis, rugby and cricket are popular. No UK teams for football and rugby. England, Scotland, Wales and N. Ireland have own teams. Mai sporting events are Grand National horse race, Football Association (FA) cup, Open golf championship and Wimbledon tennis tournament.

2. Main traditional festivals in the UK
• Christmas Day, Christmas Eve, and Boxing day.
• 1 Jan is public holiday, people celebrate on 31 December. 31 December is called Hogmanay in Scotland and 2nd Jan is also public holiday.
• Valentine’s Day
• April Fool’s Day
• Mothers day – Sunday three weeks before easter.
• Halloween
• Guy Fawkes Night – 5 November. Origin was an event in 1605 when a group of Catholics led by Guy Fawkes failed in their plan to kill the Protestant king with a bomb in the Houses o Parliament.
• Rememberance Day 11 November, commemorates those who died fighting in WWI, WW2 and other wars. Wear poppies (red flower) in memory. At 11 am there is a 2 minute silence.

CHAPTER 4; HOW THE UNITED KINGDOM IS GOVERNED

BRITISH CONSTITUTION

1. What is the role of monarchy
• Queen Elizabeth II is Head of State of UK and also monarch or Head of State for countries in the Commonwealth. UK has a constitutional monarchy – means king or queen does not rule but appoints government which people have chosen in democratic elections. Queen has reigned since death of father in 1952. Prince Charles is heir to the throne. Queen has important ceremonial roles such as opening of the new parliamentary session each year, makes speech with summaries of government policies.

2. How Parliament works, and difference between House of Commons and House of Lords
• System of government is parliamentary democracy. Divided into 646 parliamentary constituencies and atleast five years voters elect member of Parliament (MP) in general election. All elected MPs form house of Commons. Each MP belongs to a political party and the party with largest number of MPs forms the government. UK has obligation to accept rules of European Union and judgments of European court.
• House of Lords, known as peers, are not elected, do not represent a constituency. Until 1958s, all peers were either ‘hereditary’, senior judges, or bishops of the Church of England. Since 1958, PM has the power to appoint peers just for their own lifetime, Life Peers, have distinguished careers in politics, business, law or some other professions. Life Peers appointed by the Queen on the advice of the PM, include people nominated by leaders of main parties and by an independent Appointments Commission for non-party peers.
• House of Lords more independent, can suggest amendments or propose new laws, which are then discussed by House of Commons. Hof L can be important if majority of its members will not agree to pass a law which HofCo has voted. HofC has power to overrule HofL.

3. How often general elections are held
• New elections to Parliament to be held every five years. Bill to change it is only one which House of Lords must give consent.
• Can be sooner if PM decides it. If MP dies or resigns, there will be another election called a by-election in his or her constituency. MPs elected through system called first past the post.

4. Where the official residence of Prime Minister is
• 10 Downing Street. Country house nor far from London called Chequers.

5. Role of the Cabinet and who is in it
• PM is leader of political party in power, appoints the members of the Cabinet and has control over public appointments.
• PM appoints 20 senior MPs to become ministers in charge of departments. E.g. Chancellor of the Exchequer, responsible for economy, Home Secretary, responsible for law, order and immigration, the Foreign Secretary and ministers calle Secretaries of State for education, health and defence. Lord Chancellor who is minister responsible for legal affairs is member of Cabinet but sat in the House of Lords rather than House of Commons. Now possible for Lord Chancellor to sit in Commons.
• Ministers who form Cabinet meet weekly and makes decision on government policy which have to be debated or approved by P.

6. Nature of UK Constitution
• 3 parties – Labour, Coservative, the Lib Dems. Few MPs that do not represent
7. Job of the Opposition, the Leader of the Opposition and the Shadow Cabinet
• Opposite is second largest party in HofC. Leader of Opposition is person who hopes to become PM is his or her party wins next general election. Points out government’s failures and weaknesses, usually at PM’s Questions which is weekly while P is sitting.
• Leader of Opposition also appoints senior Opposition MPs to lead critiism of government minister, together forming Shadow Cabinet.
• Speaker is chief officer of the HofCo, chairs debates, is politically neutral., is MP, elected by fellow MPs to keep order and make sure rules followed. Includes making sure Opposition has a guaranteed amount of time to debate issues. Also represents P at ceremonial occasions.

8. Difference between the ‘first past the post’ and proportional representation
• First past the post means candidates who gets the most votes is elected.
• Proportional representation ensures each party gets a number of seats proportional to number of votes they receive. In N. Ireland, ‘power sharing’ between unionist majority (protestants) and substantial (catholics) minority aligned to Irish nationalist party.
•

9. Form of electoral systems, in the devolved administrations in N. Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
• Since 1997, devolving powers from central government. Although policy and laws governing defence, foreign affairs, taxation and social security all remain under central UK government control, many other public services come under control of the devolved administrations in Wales and Scotland.
• The National Assembly for Wales, or Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) is situated in Cardiff, capital of Wales. Has 0 Assembly Members and elections every four years. Members can speak in either Welsh or English and all publications in both languages. Assembly has power to make decisions on important matters such as education policy, environment, health services, transport and local government and to pass laws for Wales on these matters within statutory framework set out by UK P at Westminster.
• In 1999, P of Scotland set up, sits in Edinburgh, capital city of Scotland. 129 Members of Scottish Parliament, elected through proportional representations. Led to power sharing between Labour and Lib Deb. Can pass legislation on civil and criminal law, health, education, planning and raising of additional taxes.
• Northern Ireland Parliament established in 1922 when Ireland was divided but abolished in 1972 when troubles broke up in 1969. Now assembly has 108 elected members, known as Members of Legislative Assembly. Decision making powers include education, agriculture, environment, health and social services.
• UK government kept power to suspend the N. Ireland Assembly if political leaders no longer agreed to work together or if the assembly not working in interest of people. Assembly is currently suspended (2006), no power to pass bills or make decisions.
•

10. Rights and duties of British citizens, including naturalized citizens
• UK has a fully democratic system since 1928, when women allowed to vote at 21, same age as men.
• Present voting age of 18 set in 1969 for all UK born and naturalized citizens, including right to vote and do jury service.
• Citizens of UK, Commonwealth and Irish Republic can vote in public elections. Citizens of EU who are resident in the UK can vote in all elections except general elections.
• To vote for parliamentary, local or European election, must have name on electoral register. This register updated every sept and oct. Eligible to vote on 15 Oct.
• In N Ireland, different system, called individual registration, all who are entitled to vote must complete own registration forms. Can stay on register till personal details do not change.
• All citizens aged 18 or above can stand for election except members of armed forces, civil servants, and criminals. Members of HofL may not stand for election to HofC but eligible for other public offices. Must have local connection to area, being on electoral register or through renting or owning land or property.

11. How the judiciary, police and local authorities work
• Local authorities are democratically elected councils. Some have both district and county councils, most towns have single local authority. Many councils appoint mayor who is ceremonial leader of council or effective leader of the administration.
• London has 33 local authorities, with great London Authority and Mayor of London. Services include education, housing, social services, passenger transport, fire service, rubbish collection, planning, environmental health and libraries.
• LA funded through taxes, 20% funded through council tax, which applies to all domestic properties.
• Local elections for councilors held in May every year.
• Judges, part of the judiciary, job is to interpret the law. If actions of government are illegal, must change the law. They can change it themselves or ask P to consider changing law.
• Magistrate decides if person guilty and penalty. Jury decides if innocent or guilty.
• Police organised locally for each county or group of counties. Larges force is Metropolitan Police, services London and based in New Scotland Yard. N Ireland served by Police Service for Northern Ireland. Police have operational independence but limited by law and finances controlled by government. Police authorities made up of councilors and magistrates.
• Independent Police Complaints Commission (in N. Ireland the Police Ombudsman) investigates serious complaints against the police.

12. What non-departmental public bodies are
• Known as quangos, are independent organisations to carry out functions on behalf of public which would be inappropriate to place under the political control of cabinet minister. Appointments made by minister but must do so in open and fair way.

Other notes
• British constitution is not written down in a single document, as constitutions of other countries. UK has never had lasting rvolution so most important institutions have already been in existence. Some people believe should be a single document, others think unwritten constitutions gives more scope for adapting to change.
• The Whips are small group of MPs appointed by party leaders, responsible for discipline in their party and making sure MPs attend House of Common to vote. Chief Whip attends Cabinet or Shadow Cabinet meetings and arranges schedule of proceedings in House of Commons with the Speaker.
• Elections in European Parliament also held every five years. 78 seats for representatives from UK in the European Parliament and elected members, are called Members of the European Parliament (MEPs). System of proportional representation whereby seats allocated to each party in proportion to the total votes it won.
• Pressure groups such as Confederation of the British industry, Consumer’s Association or trade unions, Greenpeace or Liberty.
• Civil service are managers and administrators of government policy. Before general election, study Opposition party’s policies to be ready to serve new government.
• Proceedings in P reported in Hansard.
• UK have free press (free from government control).

UK IN EUROPE AND THE WORLD

1. The differences between Council of Europe, European Union, European Commission and European P:
• European Union is group of 27 member countries.
• EU aims to become a single market is administered by Council of ministers of government of member state.
• Council of Europe is governing body of EU. Set up in 1949. Made up of government ministers from each country in EU, together with European P which is legislative body of EU. Draws up conventions and charters, focuses on human rights, democracy, education, environment, health and culture.
• Council of Ministers passes EU law on the recommendations of the European Commission and European Parliament.
• European Commission is based in Brussels, capital of Belgium, is civil service of EU.
• European P sits in Strasbourg, France and Brussels. Each country elects MEP every five years.
• European P examines decisions by European Council and European Commission and has power to refuse agreements of European laws proposed by Commission and to check spending of EU funds.

2. Roles of the UN and the Commonwealth:
• UN is international organisation with 190 member countries. UN set up after WWII to prevent war and promote international peace and security. 15 members on UN Security Council. UK is one of the 5 permanent members.
• Three important agreements are Universal Declaration of Human Rights, convention on Elimination of all forms of discrimination on women and UN convention on rights of child.

Other notes:
• Queen is head of Commonwealth includes 53 member sates. Membership is voluntary and Commonwealth has no power of members but can suspend membership. Aims to promote democracy, good government and eradicate poverty.
• EU set up on 25 March 1957. UK joined in 1973. In 2004, ten new member countries. In 2006, 27 member countries.
• X

CHAPTER 5: EVERY DAY NEEDS

HOUSING

1. Process of buying and renting accommodation
• Make offer through estate agent or solicitor. First offer must be ‘subject to contract’ so that you can withdraw if you cannot complete. In Scotland, if seller puts price and buyer makes offer over amount, then legally binding earlier than in the UK.
• Solicitor will carry out legal checks on property, seller and local area. Will provide legal agreements necessary to buy property. Bank will also carry out checks through surveyor.
• In Scotland, the survey is carried out before an offer is made to help decide bid price.
• LA provides social housing, based on points based system, get higher priority if homeless, have children or chronic ill health.
• Housing associations are independent not for profit orgs which provide housing for rent, sometimes taken over administration of local authority housing. Some have schemes called shared ownerships.
• If low income or unemployed, able to claim Housing Benefit to pay for rent.

2. Where to get help if you are homeless
• Housing department of LA will give advice on homelessness and Housing Benefit.
• Citizens Advice Bureau gives advice on all housing problems
• Shelter, housing charity
• Social Fund for help with cost of moving and setting up home.

3. How you can pay for the water you use at home (Water rates)
• When you move into new home, you should receive letter telling name of company responsible for supplying water.
• Can be paid in lumpsum or in monthly installments.
• In N Ireland, water included in domestic rates.

4. Recycling your waste
• Refuse collected same day of each week, must be put outside.
• Separate the paper, glass, metal or plastics from other rubbish.
• Large objects to be collected separately.

5. What council tax pays for
• Services such as education, police, roads, refuse collection and libraries.
• In N Ireland there is system of domestic rates instead of Council Tax.

6. What to do if you have problems with your neighbours.
• Speak to them first, then speak to landlord, LA, housing association. Keep record as neighbours causing nuisance can be taken to court an can be evicted from their home.

Other notes
• All properties have electricity supplied at 240 volts.

MONEY AND CREDIT

1. What you need to open a bank or building society account
• Need documents to prove your identity such as passport, immigration document, driving licence, address on tenancy agreement or household bill.

2. What debit, credit and store cards are:
• Cash cards allow you to withdraw money from cash machines. Need PIN number. Debit card allows you to pay for things without using cash. Store card is like credit card but for only that specific shop. Will be sent a bill or else charge interest.
3. What a credit union is
• Credit unions are financial co-operatives owned and controlled by their members. Members pool their savings, and then make loans from the pool. Interest is usually lower than banks and building societies.

4. How to help with benefits and problems with debt
• Guides on benefits at Jobcentre Plus offices, local libraries, post offices and Citizens Advice Bureau.

HEALTH

1. How to find and register with a GP
• Usually need a medical card. GP’s receptionist will give you a form to send to the local health authority, then will send you a medical card.
• All patients registering with GP are entitled to a free health check.

2. What to do if you feel unwell
• Ask local pharmacist/chemist.
• Speak to nurse by phoning NHS Direct
• Using NHS Direct website.
• See doctor/nurse through appointment or walk-in centre.
• For urgent medical treatment, contact GP, go to nearest hospital A&E, or call for ambulance.
• If your treatment takes several hours, go as a day patient. If you stay overnight, you can as a in-patient.
• If you need advice, can contact Customer Services or the Patient Advice and Liaison Service.

3. How to find other services such as dentists and opticians
• Through local library, CAB and through NHS direct.
• Free dental treatment to:
o People under 18
o Pregnant women and women with babies under 12 months
o People on income support, Jobseeker’s allowance or Pensions Credit Guarantee.
• Free sight test and glasses except children, people over 60, people with certain eye conditions and people receiving certain benefits. In Scotland, all eye tests are free.

4. Who can get free prescriptions
• Anyone under 16 years of age.
• Under 19 and in full time education
• Aged 60 and above
• Pregnant or with a baby under 12 months
• Suffering form a specified medical condition
• Receiving income support, jobseeker’s allowance, working families or disabilities tax credits.

5. Who can give health advice and treatment when you are pregnant and after you have a baby
• If pregnant, will receive regular ante-natal care. This is available at local hospital, local health centre or from special antenatal clinics. Receive support from a GP and from midwife.
• After birth, will receive contact from health visitor (qualified nurse who advises on caring for the baby). First visits at home, after that at clinic. Can ask advice till child is five years old.

6. How to register a birth
• Must register with Registrar of Births, Marriages and Deaths within six weeks of birth. If parents are married, either mother or father can register the birth. If they are not married, only mother can register. If parents are not married but both want to be on child’s birth certificate, then mother and father must be present when they register birth.

Other notes:
• NHS began in 1948.
• GPs work in group practice called Primary Health Care Centre.

EDUCATION

1. Different stages of a child’s education
• Free education between 5 and 16 (4 and 16 in N Ireland). Divided into primary and secondary. Primary between 5-11 (Scotland 5-12, and N Ireland from 4-11), secondary until 16. Young people can choose to leave school or to continue education till 17 or 18.
• At 16, take the General Certificates of Secondary Education (GCSE)s in several subjects. At 18, take the AGCE (Advanced GCE levels) also called A levels.
• In Wales, follow Welsh National Curriculum and have abolished national tests for children aged 7 and 11. Teachers in Wales still assess at 7 and 11.
• In Scotland, curriculum divided into two phases – 5 to 14. Six levels in this phase, level A to F. From 14 to 16, children do standard grade. After 16, can study intermediate, higher or advanced level.
• In Scotland, there will soon be a single curriculum for all pupils from 3 to 18. Called a curriculum for excellence.
• If main language is not English, school can arrange extra support from an EAL (English Additional Language) specialist teacher.

2. The differences in education systems in England, Scotland, Wales and N. Ireland
• In N Ireland, select secondary school through testing at age 11.
• Education free in UK but parents have to pay for school uniforms and sportswear. Extra charge for music lessons, school outings. Parents on low income get help with costs and cost of school meals.

3. What is national curriculum
• Covers English, maths, science, design and technology, information and communication technology (ICT), history, geography, modern foreign languages, art and design, music, PE, and citizenship. In Wales, children learn welsh.
• Parents allowed to withdraw their child from RE lessons. Class has Christian basis but children also learn about other religions.

4. What the governing body of school does
• Parents can be members of school boards or parent councils. Governing body decides how the school is run and administered and produces reports on progress of school from year to year.

5. Options for young people at age 16.
• Can leave school or stay to do A levels (Higher grades in Scotland) in preparation for university. Some young people go to further education colleges to improve their exam grades or get a new qualification for a career.
• People from families with low income get Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA).

6. Where you can get English classes or other education for adults, including university
• Also offer courses to adults over the age of 18.
• Courses for people wishing to improve their skills in English (ESOL – English for Speakers of Other languages). In England and Wales, ESOL, literacy and numeracy courses also called Skills for Life course.

Other notes
• Schools linked to Church of England or Roman Catholic schools are called ‘faith schools’. In some areas, faith schools for Muslim, Jewish, and Sikhs. In N. Ireland, some schools are called Integrated Schools – for children of different religions.
• Independent schools are private schools/public schools. 2,500 independent schools in UK, 8% of all children go to them. Parents must pay full cost of the child’s education. Some offer scholarships.
• School must be open 190 days a year. Term dates are decided by governing body or local education authority. Children must attend whole school year.
• All schools ask parents to sign a home-school agreement, list of things parent or guardian agrees to do.
• In Scotland, no tuition fees but after university students pay back some fo the cost of the education in a payment called endowment.
• X

LEISURE

1. How films are classified
• U for universal, suitable for anyone aged 4 or above.
• PG for parental guidance, suitable for everyone but some parts are unsuitable for children, parents should decide.
• 12 or 12 a for children under 12 are not allowed to see or rent the film unless they are with an adult.
• 15 for children under 15 are not allowed to see or rent the film.
• 18 for no one under 18 is allowed to see or rent film
• R18 no one under 18 allowed to see the film, which is only available in specially licensed cinemas

2. Why you need a television licence’
• Anyone with a television, DVD or video recorder, computer or any device which is used for watching or recording TV programmes must be covered by a valid television licence.
• One licence covers all the equipment at one address, but people who rent different rooms in a shared house must each buy a separate licence.
• Colour TV cost £131 and lasts for 12 months. People aged 75 can apply for free TV licence. Blind people can claim 50% discount on TV licence.

3. The rules about the selling and drinking of alcohol
• To drink alcohol in a public you must be 18 or over. People under 18 are not allowed to buy alcohol in a supermarket or in an off-licence either. Landlord of pub may allow people of 14 to come into pub but not drink. At 16, people can drink beer or wine with a meal at a hotel or restaurant.

4. How to get a drivers licence
• Apply for provisional licence. Allows you to drive a motorcycle upto 125 cc or a car. Must put L plats on vehicle, or D plates in Wales. Learners cannot drive on motorway. If you drive a car, must be with someone over 21 and who has a full licence for over 3 years.
• Must pass written theory test, then practical driving test. Drivers may use licence until 70, then valid for 3 years at a time.
• In N Ireland, drivers, newly qualified drivers must display R plat for registered driver for one year after passing the test.
• If your driving licence is from a country in the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway, can drive as long as licence is valid.
• If you have licence from another country, can drive for upto 12 months. During this time, must get UK provisional driving licence and pass UK theory and practical driving tests or not able to drive after 12 months.

5. What you need to do to be allowed to drive a vehicle in the UK
• Must be atleast 17 to drive a car or motorcycle, 18 to drive a medium sized lorry and 21 to drive a large lorry or bus. To drive a lorry, minibus or bus with more than eight passenger seats, must have special licence.

6. What you should do if you have an accident
• Don’t drive away without stopping – it is a criminal offence.
• Call the police and ambulance on 999 or 112 if someone is injured.
• Get names, addresses, vehicle registration numbers and insurance details of other drivers.
• Give your details to other drivers, passengers or to police.
• Make note of everything and contact insurance company.

7. When you might have to prove your identity and how you can do it.
• When you open a bank account, rent accommodation, enroll for college course, hire a car, apply for benefits, apply for a marriage certificate. Can include:
o Official documents from Home Office showing immigration status.
o Certificate of identity
o Passport or travel document
o National insurance number card
o Provisional or full driving licence
o Recent gas or electricity or phone bill showing name and address
o Rent or benefits book.

Other Notes
• People under 18 not allowed into betting shops or gambling clubs. Not allowed to buy lottery or scratch card under 16.
• Owner of dog is responsible for keeping dog under control and cleaning up animal in a public place.
• If you cannot afford to pay a vet, can go to a charity called PDSA (People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals).
• Discount tickets for families, people aged 60 or over, disabled people, students, and people under 26.
• If your vehicle is over three years old, must take it every year for a Ministry of Transport (MOT) test. If you do not have a MOT certificate, insurance will not be valid, offence if you don’t have the certificate.
• Children under 12 need a special booster seat. Motorcyclists and passengers must wear crash helmet unless Sikh men if wearing a turban.
• For cars and motorcycles, speed limits are 30 miles per hour in built up areas, unless sign shows different limit, 0 mph on single carriageway or 70 mph on motorways and dual carriageway.
• If driver has more than the permitted amount of alcohol (being over the limit) or refuses to take the test, he or she is arrested.

CHAPTER 6 : EMPLOYMENT

1. Who can be a referee
• People such as current or previous employer or college tutor. Need to know you well and agree to write a short report or reference on your suitability for the job. Personal friends and members of family are not acceptable.

2. When you need to take a CRB check
• When working with children or vulnerable, employer will ask you for permission to do a criminal record check. More information from Home Office Criminal Records Bureau (CRB). In Scotland, Disclosure Scotland.
3. Where you can find out about training opportunities and job seeking
• Local library, learn direct, worktrain.

4. Benefits of volunteering in terms of work experience and community involvement
• Training improves qualifications for work. Good way to support your local community and organisations which depend on volunteers.

Other notes:
• The Home Office provides guidance on who is entitled to work in the UK.
• NARIC can advise on how qualifications from overseas compare with qualifications from the UK.

EQUAL RIGHTS AND DISCRIMINATION

1. Categories covered by the law and exceptions
• Person cannot be refused work, training or promotion or treated less favourably because of their sex, nationality, race, colour or ethnic group, disability, religion, sexual orientation, and age. In N Ireland, law bans discrimination on grounds of religious belief or political opinion.
• Protect both full and part time jobs.
• Discrimination does not apply when working for someone in their own home.

2. Different commissions working to promote equal opportunities.
• More about law and racial discrimination form the Commission for Racial Equality.
• Equal Opportunities Commission can help with sex discrimination issues.
• Disability Rights Commission deals with disability issues.
• From Oct 2007, all brought together into Commission for Equal and Human Rights.
• In N Ireland, Equality Commission provides information and advice in all forms of unlawful discrimination.

3. Grounds for sexual harassment complaints
• Indecent remarks, comments about the way you look that make you feel uncomfortable or humiliated, comments or questions about your sex life, inappropriate touching or sexual demands, bullying behaviour or being treated in a way that is rude, hostile, degrading or humiliating because of your sex.

4. The importance of contracts of employment
• Contract of employment should be given within two months of starting a new job and employer should give you details and conditions for work including responsibilities, pay, working hours, holidays, sick pay and pensions. Should also include period of notice.

5. Minimum wage and holiday entitlement
• From 2006, rates are:
• 22 and above £5.35 an hour
• From 18-21 £4.45 an hour
• From 16-17 £3.30 an hour
• Atleast four weeks paid holiday every year. Includes time for national holidays.

6. Information that has to be provided on pay slips.
• Must show exactly how much money has been taken off for tax and national insurance contributions.

7. What is deducted form your earnings and why
• Money raised from income tax pays for government service such as roads, education, police and armed forces.

8. Difference between self employed and employed
• Employed people have their NI contributions deducted from pay by their employer every week or month. People who are self employed need to pay NI contributions themselves: Class 2 contributions, either by direct debit or every 3 months; Class 4 contributions on the profits from their trade or business (paid alongside their income tax). Anyone who does not pay enough NI contributions will not be able to receive certain benefits, such as Jobseeker’s allowance or maternity pay and may not receive full state retirement pension.

10. Purpose of National Insurance and what happens if you don’t pay enough contributions.
• Money from National Insurance pays for contributory benefits such as State Retirement Pensions and helps fund the NHS.

11. How you can get a National Insurance number
• Jobcentre Plus or local Social Security Office. Need to show your birth certificate, passport and Home Office documents allowing you to stay in the country.

12. Who is entitled to a pension
• Anyone who has paid enough NI contributions will get a State Pension when they retire.
13. What age men and women can get a pension
• 65 for men, 60 for women.

14. Employer and employee obligations re health and safety
• Employers legal duty to make sure workplace is safe. Employees legal duty to follow safety regulations and to work safely and responsibly.

15. What to do if you have concerns about health and safety
• Talk to supervisor, manager or trade union representative.

16. What are trade unions and who can join.
• Organisations that aim to improve the pay and working conditions of their members. Give members advice and support on problems at work.

17. Where to go if you need advice on a problem at work
• Speak to supervisor, manager, trade union rep or someone with responsibility. Contact CAB or law centre. ACAS (national Advisory, Concilation and Arbitration Service) gives info on rights at work.

18. Possible reasons for dismissal
• For serious misconduct at work (cannot do job properly, is unacceptably late or absent from work) should be given warning by their employer. If their work, punctuality or attendance does not improve, employer can give them notice to leave their job.

21. Timescale for complaining.
• Only have 3 months for making a complaint.
22. Entitlement to redundancy pay
• Amount of money depends on length of time you have been employed. Trade union rep, solicitor, law centre or CAB can advise you.

23. Role of Business link
• Business Link is a government funded project for people starting or running a business.

Other Notes:
• Job seeker’s allowance – men aged 18-65 and women aged 18-60. Unemployed 16 and 17 year olds not eligible but able to claim Young Person’s Bridging Allowance (YPBA).
• New Deal is a government programme that aims to give unemployed people help and support to get back to work. Young people who have been unemployed for 6 months and adults who have been unemployed for 18 months are usually required to join the New Deals if they wish to continue receiving benefits.
• Government runs work based learning programmes which offer training to people while they work. People receive a wage or an allowance and can attend college for one day a week to get a new qualification.

CHILDCARE AND CHILDREN AT WORK

1. Entitlement to maternity leave and pay for both part time and full time workers
• Atleast 26 weeks maternity leave. These rights apply to both ful time and part time workers, no difference how long woman has worked for employer.

2. Paternity leave entitlement
• Fathers who have worked for their employer for atleast 26 weeks are allowed paternity leave, which is 2 weeks time off.

3. Minimum age for starting work
• 13, though not all LA allow this. Exceptions for some types of performance work (e.g. modeling) when younger children allowed. Children under school leaving age (16) seeking to do paid work must apply for a licence from LA. Children taking part in performances may have to obtain medical certificate before working.

4. Jobs that children under 16 are not allowed to do
• Delivering milk, selling alcohol, cigarettes or medicines, working in a kitchen, behind a counter of a chip shop, working with dangerous machinery or chemicals or any time of work that may be harmful to their health or education.

5. Maximum hours allowed
• Every child must have atleast 2 consecutive weeks a year during the school holidays when they do not work. They cannot work for more than 4 hours without a one hour rest, for more than 2 hours on any school day or a Sunday, more than 5 hours (13-14 year olds) or 8 hours (15-16 year olds)on Saturdays (weekdays during school holidays), before 7 am or after 7 pm, before close of school hours (except some areas where children work one hour before school), for more than 2 hours in any school week, more than 25 hours in a week (13-14 year olds) or 35 hours a week (15-16) during school holidays.
• No national minimum wage for those under 16.

6. Licence and medical certificate requirements

• LA may withdraw a child’s licence to work where child works longer hours than law allows. The child would then be unable to continue working. Employer may be prosecuted for illegally employing a child.

7. Parents’ responsibilities to ensure that children work hard within the law and get proper education
• If makes a false declaration in a child’s licence application, can be prosecuted. They may also be prosecuted if they do not ensure thei child receives a proper education.

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