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TITLE OF PRODUCT:

‘A Common Place’: a debate on the sense of Britain’s identity and the concept of British citizenship.

NAME OF AUTHOR(S):

Ruth Kelly and Liam Byrne

PLACE AND DATE OG PUBBLICATION:

June 2007 Fabian Society, London

TYPE OF PRODUCT:

Report, Survey

LANGUAGE/S OF PRODUCT:

English

DESCRIPTION OF CONTENTS:

This Fabian Society Freethinking pamphlet is a debate on the sense of Britain’s identity and the concept of British citizenship.

It refers to the changing patterns of migration as a factor in making Britain a more diverse and interesting place. There is a summary of what has been done so far to strengthen British citizenship:

• Citizenship studies introduced in 1999
• UK citizenship survey 2001
• English and citizenship knowledge testing proposed in 2003
• Commission on Integration and Cohesion set up in 2006

The pamphlet proposes both the idea of a National Day or a Citizenship Week and the idea of ‘Earned’ citizenship. It goes on to outline the workings of the new points-based system for granting settlement status which may be a precursor for those wanting to progress to the permanent status of citizenship.
There is a section on ‘Good neighbour contracts’ for new arrivals in which the importance of the response being at a local level is stressed. The New Links project set up in Peterborough to welcome newcomers is cited as an example of good practice.

COMMENTS ON THIS DOCUMENT:

Ruth Kelly was Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government at the time and Liam Byrne was the Minister of State for Immigration and Asylum.

The Fabian Society is a left of centre think tank which is affiliated to the Labour party but is organisationally and editorially independent.

NAME OF COMPILER:

Liz Peadon

NAME OF INSTITUTION:

CREDS, Cambridgeshire County Council

ROLE:

Tutor/Researcher



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