New citizens to be taught traditions of 'toleration, fair play and free speech'

New British citizens are to be given lessons in adopting the nation's traditional values of "toleration, fair play and free speech", a Home Office committee said yesterday.

They will receive an education programme to teach them to respect the equality of women and tell them how to be a good neighbour. New citizens will also learn to be respectful of British youth cultures and be taught the "etiquettes of everyday life".

A panel set up by David Blunkett, the Home Secretary, outlined interim arrangements for a "Britishness" test aimed at improving social cohesion. New citizens will attend a public ceremony at which they will be presented with a certificate by the local mayor or provost and will recite an oath of allegiance to the monarchy and a pledge to uphold British laws and values.

The panel, chaired by Mr Blunkett's university tutor and mentor, Professor Sir Bernard Crick, rejected the idea that new citizens should sit an English language exam and be taught British history. It said: "Learning about a history should be a consequence of the pride and security of becoming a citizen: it should not be an imposed precondition; and a memorised curriculum by itself gives little understanding of the real traditions and nature of a country."

Instead, Sir Bernard's team proposed new citizens be given practical advice on integrating into British society. They will be required to attend a "Programme of Studies" providing information on obtaining employment and claiming benefits, accessing the National Health Service and paying utility bills. New citizens will be told to respect the equality of women and people of different cultures, and to adopt British "values of toleration, fair play, freedom of speech and of the press". They will be told about the legal system and the democratic process.

The panel said they should not have to sit an immediate English exam but would be expected to attend classes and take tests to show they had improved their use of the language. The basic level of knowledge should be "to understand simple instructions and ask simple questions".