Key points to memorize for Life in the UK test chapter 2

Migration to Britain

  • People living today in Britain came from different countries: immigrants from Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean, have come to Britain to stay, find safety, jobs and a better life.
  • Britain is open and home to persecuted people, whether religious, or because of their race:
    • 16th – 18th century: Huguenots (French Protestants), to escape religious persecution.
    • From 1840s: Irish people migrated, and helped build canals and railways in Britain.
    • 1880 – 1910: Jewish people (pogroms), to escape racist attacks.
  • After the Second World War, (1939-45), the British government encouraged immigrants to help rebuild UK.
  • In 1948, people from West Indies also helped.
  • In 1950, shortage of labor caused the government to encourage immigrants to move in. This lasted for 25 years, and people from West Indies, Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh traveled to work and settle in Britain.
  • In the late 1960s, the government passed new laws to restrict immigration. Commonwealth countries (Australia, New Zealand, and Canada) did not face such laws. Britain admitted  28,000 of Indian origin forced to leave Uganda, and 22,000  South East Asian refugees.
  • In the 1980s, immigrants came from United States, Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand.
  • In the 1990s, groups of people came from the Soviet Union to find a new way of life.
  • Since 1994, migration to Britain has surged for political and economic reasons.

The changing role of women

  • In the 19th century Britain, families were usually large, and in poorer homes, the whole family often worked towards the family income. Women however, had fewer rights than men.
  • Until 1857, a married woman cannot divorce her husband.
  • Until 1882, if a woman marries a man, he shares his properties with her.
  • In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a number of women campaigned and demanded for their rights. They were known as “Suffragettes”.
  • During the First World War, they joined in the war effort and contributed by doing a much greater variety of work.
  • In 1918, women were allowed to vote at age 30.
  • In 1928, women were allowed to vote at age 21.
  • In the 1960s-70s, increased pressure from women caused the Parliament to create new laws, imposing sexual equality.
  • Today’s women make up 51% of the population and 45% of the workforce.
  • Most girls have better qualifications, landing on better jobs, than boys who graduated from the universities.
  • Despite these progresses, sexual discrimination is still apparent, as they have 20% less salary than men, but are allowed to take on jobs which, in the past, were only allowed for men.

Children, family and young people

  • Children and young people make up a fourth of the total UK population.
  • 65% of children live with their parents, 25% with their lone-parent family, and 10% with their step-families.
  • Law dictates that children aged 5-16 years old should attend school.
  • They are required to take tests upon reaching 7, 11, and 14 years of age, to assess their progress.
  • At age 16, they take several tests, such as the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) or in Scotland, Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA). They can also take vocational courses at Colleges of Further Education or Adult Education Centers.
  • At ages 17-18, they take vocational qualifications, General Certificates of Education at an Advanced Level (AGCEs), AS level units, or Higher / Advanced Higher Grades in Scotland. These are required, as colleges expect high grades from these tests in order to admit the student.
  • AS levels are Advanced Subsidiary qualifications gained by completing three AS units, which is equivalent to a half of an AGCE. In the second part of the course, three more can be earned to complete the AGCE.
  • One in three young people defer their university entrance and take a “gap year”, which involves voluntary work, or to travel overseas to save money for their tuition fees and for their family.
  • Over 2 million children work. Jobs include newspaper delivery, part-time work in supermarkets, and the like. However, there are several guidelines:
    • Children aged 14 years and above can take on paid work. Upon reaching age 16, they need to apply for a license.
    • They cannot work for two consecutive weeks a year during the school holidays.
    • They cannot work for more than 4 hours without a one-hour rest break (for ages 13-16).
    • They cannot work for more than 2 hours on any school day or Sunday (for ages 13-16).
    • They cannot work for more than 5 hours on Saturdays or weekdays during holidays (for ages 13-14).
    • They cannot work for more than 8 hours on Saturdays or weekdays during holidays (for ages 15-16).
    • They cannot work before 7AM or after 7PM (for ages 13-16).
    • They cannot work for 12 hours during a school week (for ages 13-16).
    • They cannot work for 25 hours a week (for ages 13-14).
    • They cannot work for 35 hours a week (for ages 15-16).
    • Minimum pay for 22 year old workers, £ 5.35 per hour.
    • Minimum pay for 18-21 year old worker, £ 4.45 per hour.
    • Minimum pay for 16-17 year old worker, £ 3.30 per hour.
  • Smoking, alcohol, and illegal drugs are the health hazards most parents worry about their children.
  • Children below 18 cannot smoke, nor can they buy and drink alcohol.
  • One-half of young adults have tried illegal substances. That makes up a third of the total population.
  • A person can vote once they reach 18.
  • Studies show that only 1 out of 5 used their vote, because the other 4 were “uninterested” in the political process. However, they show interests on environmental issues and cruelty to animals.
  • In 2003, survey, among young people, shows that crime, drugs, war / terrorism, racism, and health are the five most important issues Britain is currently facing.
  • 86% of young people have taken in community work or event, and 50% had taken part in a fund-raising event for charity.