British values: the freedoms, the duties and the citizenship pledge
Facts checked on GOV.UK and other UK government websites on 5 October 2026.
Overview
This chapter is about the ideas that British life is built on. It also tells you what you promise when you become a British citizen.
The government tells schools in England to promote four basic British values: individual liberty, democracy, the rule of law, and respect and tolerance for people with other faiths and beliefs (Promoting fundamental British values through SMSC). The law gives each person rights, for example the right to say what they think and the right to a fair trial (Human Rights Act 1998, Schedule 1).
With these rights come duties. A new citizen promises to obey the laws of the UK and to uphold its democratic values (British Nationality Act 1981, Schedule 5). To become a citizen, you usually must also prove that you know English, Welsh or Scottish Gaelic, and pass the Life in the UK Test. Some people do not need to, for example people under 18 or aged 65 or over (Apply for citizenship if you have indefinite leave to remain; Life in the UK Test).
What the test likes to ask
Make sure that you can answer these questions:
- Which ideas are basic values of British life? Individual liberty, democracy, the rule of law, and tolerance of other faiths and beliefs.
- Does extremism have a place in Britain? No. In 2013, the government said that it has no place (Extremism has no place in 'open and tolerant' Britain).
- Which rights does each person have? For example, the right to free speech and the right to a fair trial.
- What must you usually do to become a citizen? Prove that you know English, Welsh or Scottish Gaelic, and pass the Life in the UK Test.
Common confusions
A right and a duty are not the same. A right is something that the law gives you, for example free speech. A duty is something that you must do, for example obey the law. Read each answer carefully to see which one it gives.
Free speech is for everyone. You have the right to hold your own opinions. Each other person in the UK has the same right.
Tolerance is a value, not only good manners. Respect for people with other faiths and beliefs is one of the basic values of British life. It is on the same list as democracy and the rule of law.
The facts
Tier 1: asked most often
- Comes up in the real exam The government wants people who are new to the UK to have early chances to take part in the life of their community.
- Comes up in the real exam In 2013, the government said that extremism has no place in Britain, which is an open and tolerant country.
- Comes up in the real exam Some basic values of British life are individual liberty, democracy, the rule of law, and respect and tolerance for people with other faiths and beliefs.
- Each person in the UK has the right to hold their own opinions.
- In the UK, each person has the right to freedom of expression and the right to a fair trial.
Tier 3
- A new British citizen makes a pledge. In it, they promise to respect the rights and freedoms of the UK, to uphold its democratic values and to obey its laws.
- To become a British citizen, you usually must prove that you know English, Welsh or Scottish Gaelic. You usually must also pass the Life in the UK Test.