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Follow on Google News | Boris Becker faces new test match for UK citizenshipSix-time major singles tennis champion Boris Becker revealed his intention to become a British citizen. He meets most requirements already, but may meet his next test match in taking the UK's citizenship test.
By: Thom Brooks -With picture- *TV and radio broadcast facilities available* Six-time major singles tennis champion Boris Becker has revealed he intends to apply for British citizenship (http://www.bbc.co.uk/ Becker likely meets most criteria for becoming a British citizen. He’s owned a London flat and worked in the UK for many years, but that’s not the only hurdle this former champion must jump. Becker would have to pass the UK’s citizenship test. Tony Blair’s Labour government introduced the test in 2005. The Tory-led coalition made the test a standard requirement for citizenship applications from 2013. The test costs £50 and applicants must answer 18 of 24 questions correctly to pass. Becker may find this a difficult test match to win. Professor Thom Brooks, at Durham University, is the leading expert on the British citizenship test and says it’s unfit for purpose and “like a bad pub quiz.” Brooks became a UK citizen in 2011 after moving from the USA. “The test urgently requires revision,” says Professor Brooks. “Practical everyday necessities like how to contact an ambulance, report a crime or register with a GP are missing. But new citizens are required to know the year Emperor Claudius invaded Britain and which street Sake Dean Mahomet launched the UK’s first curry house—many of the test’s facts I doubt most British citizens know or even should know to be British.” Over 1 million tests have been sat over the last 10 years. Professor Brooks says it’s time for a fundamental rethink on the test’s purpose: “There’s never been a review of whether the test is fit for purpose more than a decade since it was launched. The government should announce a major review preferably led by a naturalised UK citizen who understands the system inside and out to ensure the test meets public expectations and is beneficial. This is important for all present and future citizens alike, including Becker.” New citizens receive a small gift at regularly convened citizenship ceremonies across the country, such as a small medal or cufflinks. It’s unclear whether Becker would display them alongside his many tennis trophies won over his remarkable career. ENDS MEDIA INFORMATION NB – Please note that Professor Brooks is also a member of the Labour Party. Interviews Professor Thom Brooks, Professor of Law and Government, in Durham Law School, Durham University, is available for comment on Friday, July 3, and Monday, July 6, 2015, on: +44 (0) 191 334 4365 (office); 07854 530987 (mobile) or thom.brooks@ Alternatively please contact Durham University Marketing and Communications Office on +44 (0)191 334 6075; media.relations@ *TV and radio broadcast facilities available* Durham University’s academic experts are available for interview via down-the-line broadcast quality TV facilities from our Durham City campus, via broadcast provider Globelynx. To request and check the availability of interviewees please contact the Durham University Communications Office on +44 (0)191 334 6075 or email media.relations@ You can book the Globelynx fixed camera and circuit direct by logging into www.globelynx.com. The IFB number is +44 (0)191 384 2019. If you have not booked a Globelynx feed before please call +44 (0)20 7963 7060 for assistance. A broadcast quality ISDN radio line is also available at Durham University and bookings can be arranged via the Media Relations Team on the contact details above. The ISDN number is +44 (0)191 386 2749. A landline number is available in our Media Suite which houses the television and radio facilities - +44 (0)191 334 6472. Photographs A high resolution headshot of Professor Thom Brooks is available on request from Durham University Marketing and Communications Office on +44 (0)191 334 6075; media.relations@ Further reading The ‘Life in the United Kingdom’ Citizenship Test: Is It Unfit for Purpose?, (http://www.thombrooks.info/ An earlier paper, The British Citizenship Test: The Case for Reform (http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/ About Durham University A world top 100 university with a global reputation and performance in research and education A member of the Russell Group of leading research-intensive UK universities Research at Durham shapes local, national and international agendas, and directly informs the teaching of our students Ranked in the world top 25 for the employability of its students by blue-chip companies world-wide (QS World University Rankings 2014/15) In the global top 50 for Arts and Humanities (THE World University Rankings 2013/14) In the 2015 Complete University Guide, Durham was the only UK university to receive a top ten ranking for all of its subjects and 19 of Durham’s 22 subjects were ranked in the top five. Durham was named as The Times and Sunday Times 'Sports University of the Year 2015' in recognition of outstanding performance in both the research and teaching of sport, and student and community participation in sport at all levels. END OF MEDIA RELEASE End
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