Emma Marriott

A rousing British song, strongly associated with the Royal Navy, ‘Rule, Britannia!’ is based on a poem of the same name written in 1740 by Scottish poet and playwright James Thomson (1700–48), and set to music by leading theatre composer Thomas Arne (1710–78)

The five most common countries of birth in the UK calendar years 2007–11 were (in order): India, Poland, Pakistan, Republic of Ireland and Germany. The five most common nationalities are Polish, Irish, Indian, Pakistani and American

In 1981, new conditions for British nationality and redefinitions for British citizenship were passed stipulating that acceptance for settlement in the UK did not mean automatic British citizenship. More specific requirements were made in 2002 – anyone seeking British citizenship was required to sit a test to demonstrate their knowledge of life in Britain. They were also required to attend a citizenship ceremony and swear a citizenship oath and pledge to queen and country, and reach sufficient proficiency in the English language. This requirement was extended also to include people seeking to settle permanently in Britain

Students must pay for their own living costs, usually through loans provided by a student loan company. Most students will finish their studies with an average debt of £21,000.

According to the 2011 census for England and Wales, Wales has the highest proportion of people who claim not to be religious (one-third of population), and Norwich is the local authority with the highest proportion of people with no religion (42.5 per cent). London is the most diverse region in terms of religious affiliation, with the highest proportion of Muslims (12 per cent of London’s total population

‘There are more crimes in Britain now, due to the huge rise in the crime rate.’
NEIL KINNOCK, FORMER LEADER OF THE LABOUR PARTY, ON BBC RADIO IN 1985.

Public rights of way are usually accompanied by signs and symbols: a yellow arrow indicates a public footpath open to walkers only and a blue arrow indicates a bridleway, which are open to walkers, cyclists and horse-riders. An acorn identifies one of fifteen long-distance routes in England and Wales, which provide outstanding walking, cycling and horse-riding routes

MAN’S BEST FRIEND

A survey conducted in the late 1990s found that 60 per cent of dog owners in the UK preferred the company of their dog to that of their spouse.

‘I love England, especially the food. There’s nothing I like more than a lovely bowl of pasta’.
NAOMI CAMPBELL, 2006.