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British Nationality: Married People

Asked by Luke MyerLabourHome OfficeTabled Answered 26 June 2025UIN 61332

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment she has made of the accessibility of (a) the Life in the UK Test and (b) naturalisation application costs for older spouses of British citizens on the route to settlement and citizenship; and what steps she is taking to ensure such applicants are not disadvantaged due to (i) age, (ii) language ability and (iii) financial circumstances.

Answered by Seema Malhotra

All applicants currently applying for citizenship are required to demonstrate Knowledge of Language and Life (KoLL) in the UK unless they are either aged under 18, aged 65 or over, or have a medical condition that prevents them from doing so.

Where someone cannot reasonably be expected to prepare for or pass the Life in the UK test on medical grounds, the requirement can be waived.

If a candidate needs assistance to access the test or needs special adjustments at a test centre, candidates can contact the provider of the tests to make arrangements, at no extra cost.

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