Immigrants to get UK culture lessons

Immigrants who want to become British citizens will have to take compulsory classes on the nation's democracy and cultural heritage, under plans to be unveiled by Home Secretary David Blunkett.

The scheme would apply to the 60,000 people a year who apply for full citizenship, having been granted the right to settle in Britain. It is expected to be detailed in a White Paper on nationality and immigration to be published in the next few weeks, as part of a broad change in direction on asylum policy.

Other ideas include deterring illegal immigrants and fake asylum claims by making it easier for foreigners to work legally in Britain via a green card-style system.

The Home Office said a report today about the citizenship classes was "speculative" but Mr Blunkett referred to the subject in a recently published book and said in a speech last night he was "looking at new ways to better integrate those who have recently been nationalised, or have received the right to permanent residency".

Mr Blunkett has long-held convictions that everybody should be engaged in public life, accepting the responsibilities as well as enjoying the rights of a free democracy. As Education Secretary, he introduced compulsory citizenship classes in secondary schools, which will begin next September.