A think-tank report set out proposals for a 'national civic service'. It said that service schemes boosted the employability of the young people who took part, as well as bringing real benefits to the community. In order for these benefits to be maximized there needed to be a structured approach through a national scheme.
Source: Sonia Sodha and Dan Leighton, Service Nation, Demos
Links: Report | Summary | Demos blog | NUS press release | BBC report | Children & Young People Now report
Date: 2009-Dec
An article examined the developments of the previous decade that had resulted in a steady entrenchment of the concept of citizenship in official British structures. Citizenship was likely to be more engrained in the consciousness of the young than any other age group, following the introduction of its teaching in schools in 2002.
Source: Rupa Huq, 'A young concept in a new country: the institutionalization of the citizenship question in the UK and its generational impact', Young, Volume 17 Number 4
Links: Abstract
Date: 2009-Nov
A study found that citizenship education was increasingly accepted by secondary school leaders and teachers in England. It was perceived to be having a positive impact on students' confidence, tolerance, and respect. Other benefits included better behaviour and attitudes, a greater awareness of existing affairs, and more engagement with local issues. However, there remained a minority of schools where citizenship education was not firmly embedded and where students might not be receiving their statutory entitlement.
Source: Avril Keating, David Kerr, Joana Lopes, Gill Featherstone and Thomas Benton, Embedding Citizenship Education in Secondary Schools in England (2002-08): Citizenship Education Longitudinal Study seventh annual report, Research Report 172, Department for Children, Schools and Families (0845 602 2260)
Links: Report | Brief | NFER press release
Date: 2009-Nov
A report examined identity and sense of belonging to Britain, based on the 2007-08 Citizenship Survey data. It considered whether or not people felt that there was a conflict between national and religious identities, and whether it was possible to belong to Britain and maintain separate cultural or religious identities.
Source: 2007-08 Citizenship Survey: Identity and Values Topic Report, Department for Communities and Local Government (web publication only)
Links: Report | DCLG press release | Local Government Chronicle report
Date: 2009-Aug
The government began consultation on a new points-based test for citizenship. Migrants would be awarded points for building up different attributes and skills – such as economic contributions, and skills and English language proficiency above the level already expected. Points could be removed and citizenship withheld or delayed for those breaking the law or committing anti-social behaviour.
Source: Earning the Right to Stay: A new points test for citizenship, Home Office (0870 000 1585)
Links: Home Office press release | NIACE press release | Telegraph report | BBC report | Guardian report
Date: 2009-Aug
A report said that citizenship education was 'the single biggest government investment in youth citizenship', and called on the government to ensure that the delivery of citizenship education was more consistent and effective.
Source: Making the Connection: Building youth citizenship in the UK, Youth Citizenship Commission (ycc@justice.gsi.gov.uk)
Links: Report | Citizenship Foundation press release
Date: 2009-Jul
The Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act was given Royal assent, following a third reading. The Act required all migrants to speak English and obey the law if they wanted to gain citizenship and stay permanently in the United Kingdom, while speeding up the path to citizenship for those who contributed to the community by being 'active citizens'. Full access to benefits and social housing was reserved for citizens and permanent residents.
Source: Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009, Home Office, TSO (0870 600 5522) | House of Commons Hansard, Debate 14 July 2009, columns 177-257, TSO
Links: Text of Act | Explanatory notes | Hansard | Home Office press release | UKBA press release
Date: 2009-Jul
The Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Bill was given a second reading. The Bill would require all migrants to speak English and obey the law if they wanted to gain citizenship and stay permanently in the United Kingdom, while speeding up the path to citizenship for those who contributed to the community by being 'active citizens'. Full access to benefits and social housing would be reserved for citizens and permanent residents.
Source: Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Bill [HL], Home Office, TSO (0870 600 5522) | House of Commons Hansard, Debate 2 June 2009, columns 169-240, TSO
Links: Text of Bill | Explanatory notes | Hansard | HOC research brief
Date: 2009-Jun
A paper suggested guidelines for developing policy and debate on racial and cultural diversity, and the requirements of a common citizenship.
Source: Mike Waite, Combining Diversity with Common Citizenship, Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust (01904 627810)
Links: Paper | Guardian report
Date: 2009-May
The government announced a new programme for young people aged 16-19, under which 20,000 school-leavers each year would undertake full-time community service. It said that its longer-term ambition was for all young people to contribute at least 50 hours of community service by the age of 19.
Source: Press release 24 April 2009, Cabinet Office (020 7261 8527)
Links: Cabinet Office press release | PM podcast (transcript) | Groundwork press release | BBC report | Telegraph report
Date: 2009-Apr
A report by a committee of MPs examined the Draft (Partial) Immigration and Citizenship Bill, published by the Home Office in July 2008. It said that the basic principle that those who wished to become British citizens should contribute to British society was 'uncontroversial', and that the concept of 'active citizenship' was essentially a fair one. However, the principle needed to be applied in a fair and proportionate manner, and in a way which did not discriminate against vulnerable groups.
Source: Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Bill [HL], Fifth Report (Session 2008-09), HC 425, House of Commons Home Affairs Select Committee, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Report
Date: 2009-Apr
An article examined the impact of the concept of social capital on the citizenship education initiative in England. Official policy was underpinned by a model of citizenship that emphasized the value of political participation by citizens and the extent to which this participation was reliant on community membership. This model implied an uncritical acceptance of neo-liberal economic orthodoxy, which necessarily undermined the community attachments that the citizenship education policy sought to promote.
Source: Ben Kisby, 'Social capital and citizenship lessons in England: analysing the presuppositions of citizenship education', Education, Citizenship and Social Justice, Volume 4 Number 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2009-Feb
An article examined recent government policy and proposals relating to immigration and citizenship, and the ways in which these policies were presented as means of securing allegiance and integration. Policy proposals in the 2008 Green Paper threatened migrants' employment opportunities, and risked creating barriers to participation and undermining social cohesion. They placed unrealistic demands on aspirant citizens.
Source: Audrey Osler, 'Testing citizenship and allegiance', Education, Citizenship and Social Justice, Volume 4 Number 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2009-Feb
A new book examined how changing territorial politics were affecting social citizenship rights. Devolved politics were increasingly producing different social citizenship rights in different parts of the United Kingdom. Moreover, they were doing it in ways that few scholars or policy-makers expected or could trace.
Source: Scott Greer (ed.), Devolution and Social Citizenship in the UK, Policy Press, available from Marston Book Services (01235 465500)
Links: Summary
Date: 2009-Jan
An article examined the relationship between civic engagement, ethnic heterogeneity, and perceptions of mutual respect and social cohesion among citizens in urban local government areas across England. Statistical results suggested that associational life was positively associated with social capital, and that political participation enhanced perceptions of mutual respect in ethnically diverse areas. The evidence provided support for arguments that civic engagement could moderate negative externalities for social capital associated with ethnic heterogeneity.
Source: Rhys Andrews, 'Civic engagement, ethnic heterogeneity, and social capital in urban areas: evidence from England', Urban Affairs Review, Volume 44 Number 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2009-Jan