17/06/2014

British Social Attitudes Report: 'True British' Must Speak English

The 31st NatCen Social Research British Social Attitudes survey of 3,000 people shows UK citizens have harder attitudes over immigration, welfare or the requirements which make a person British.

95% of them found that it is important to speak English to be "truly" British, up from a 86% in 2003.

1% of British people think that immigrants from the EU should have to wait three years or more before they are allowed to claim welfare benefits.

Half of all people (50%) think the main reason immigrants come to Britain is to work, but nearly a quarter (24%) think the main reason is to claim benefits.

Chief Executive of the British Social Attitudes research Penny Young said: "In an increasingly diverse, multi-cultural country, we might expect people to be more relaxed about what it means to be British, yet the trend is going in the opposite direction."

(CVS/CD)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

10 September 2007
Brown To Unveil Plan To Create 500,000 Jobs
Prime Minister Gordon Brown is set to unveil plans to create half a million new jobs in an effort to have "A British job for every British worker.
12 May 2010
Scots Trust In UK Government 'Wavers'
The 2009 Scottish Social Attitudes Survey reveals that people trust the Scottish Government to act in Scotland's best interests rather than the UK government by a factor of more than two-to-one. The survey shows 61 per cent of people trusting the Scottish Government to act in Scotland's interests, compared to 25 per cent for the UK government.
09 March 2011
Major UK Studios Fund British Films
Film and Television Studios Group Pinewood Shepperton have announced plans to provide funding for smaller British film productions.
13 August 2003
BA suspends flights to Saudi Arabia over 'security concerns'
British Airways has announced that it is to suspend all flights to Saudi Arabia "due to heightened security concerns in the region". BA said that it would suspend flights until further notice follows discussions earlier today between the airline and the British government's Department for Transport.
21 September 2009
Legal Focus On Assisted Suicide
The head of Britain's public prosecution service will this week clarify the legal position of relatives involved in so-called 'assisted suicides'. At present, those found guilty of aiding a person to end their life can face up to 14 years in prison. A high-profile court challenge in July prompted the government to review the law.