## Learning Outcomes

- Identify the shared values and responsibilities expected of everyone in the UK
- Know how UK law protects people from unfair discrimination in daily life and at work
- Recall the key equality protections and what “protected characteristics” means
- Understand practical ways to take part in community life, including volunteering and jury service
- Recognise what to do if you experience discrimination or domestic abuse

## Life in the UK Test Syllabus

For the Life in the UK Test, you are expected to understand equality and community life in the UK, with a focus on the following syllabus points:

- Explain the UK’s shared values: obeying the law, treating others fairly, respecting rights, and treating everyone equally
- Know that discrimination is unlawful and identify the main protected characteristics (Equality Act 2010 in Great Britain)
- Distinguish between direct discrimination, indirect discrimination, harassment, and victimisation
- Know that everyone has freedom of religion or belief, including the right not to practise a religion, and recognise key 2011 Census figures
- Understand civic participation duties and opportunities, including volunteering and jury service eligibility
- Know that domestic violence, female genital mutilation (FGM), and forced marriage are illegal in the UK

## Test Your Knowledge

_Attempt these questions before reading this article. If you find some difficult or cannot remember the answers, look more closely at that area during your revision._

1. Name four “protected characteristics” under the Equality Act 2010.
2. What is the difference between direct discrimination and indirect discrimination?
3. What does “victimisation” mean in equality law?
4. Who can be selected for jury service, and how are jurors chosen?
5. Is forced marriage illegal in the UK, and can the courts issue protective orders?

## Introduction

The UK is ethnically and religiously diverse, especially in large cities such as London. It is also an “equal society” in the sense that the law expects people to be treated fairly, with equal rights and freedoms for men and women and protection from unfair discrimination.

For the Life in the UK Test, you need two linked areas of knowledge: (1) what the law and shared values expect in everyday life, and (2) how people take part in their local community—through simple actions like being a considerate neighbour, volunteering, and serving on a jury when asked.

> **Key Term: Equality**
> The principle that people should be treated fairly and not treated worse because of who they are, including their sex, race, religion, age, disability, or sexual orientation.

### Shared values, rights, and responsibilities

The Life in the UK materials describe a set of shared values and responsibilities. These apply to everyone living in the UK, whether they are a citizen or not. They also match the “fundamental principles of British life” that new citizens promise to uphold at the citizenship ceremony.

In practical terms, the values most often tested include:

- obeying and respecting the law
- respecting the rights of others (including their right to hold different opinions and beliefs)
- treating others fairly
- behaving responsibly
- helping and protecting your family
- respecting and looking after the environment
- treating everyone equally, regardless of sex, race, religion, age, disability, class, or sexual orientation
- taking part in democracy, including voting in elections when you are eligible

> **Key Term: Rule of law**
> The principle that the law applies to everyone, and people and public bodies must follow legal rules rather than acting arbitrarily.
>
> **Test Tip:** In exam questions, look for options that match these key phrases: obey the law, respect others’ rights, treat people fairly, and participate in community life. Options promoting intolerance or unfair treatment are almost always wrong.

### Equality in everyday family and working life

UK law protects legal equality between men and women. Men and women should not be discriminated against because of their gender or because they are, or are not, married. They have equal rights to work, own property, marry and divorce. If parents are married, both parents are equally responsible for their children.

Modern family and work patterns have also changed. Women in Britain today make up about half of the workforce, and employment opportunities are much broader than in the past. Many families have two working partners who share childcare and household chores.

This social change supports a key test theme: equality is not only an idea; it is protected by law and shapes expectations at work and in public life.

### Diversity and freedom of religion or belief

The UK is historically a Christian country, but it includes many faiths and many people with no religion. In the 2011 Census:

- 59% identified as Christian
- 25% said they had no religion
- 4.8% identified as Muslim
- 1.5% identified as Hindu
- 0.8% identified as Sikh
- Jewish and Buddhist were both less than 0.5%

There are places of worship for different religions across the UK, including mosques, Hindu temples, synagogues, gurdwaras, and Buddhist temples. Importantly, everyone has the legal right to choose their religion, or to choose not to practise a religion.

> **Key Term: Freedom of religion or belief**
> The legal right to follow a religion, change religion, or have no religion, without unfair treatment by the state or others.
>
> **Test Tip:** If a question asks whether people in the UK can choose not to practise a religion, the correct answer is “Yes”. The test often checks that you understand both freedom of religion and freedom from religion.

### Discrimination law: Equality Act 2010 (Great Britain)

In Great Britain (England, Scotland, and Wales), the main law covering discrimination is the Equality Act 2010. For the test, you should know the idea of “protected characteristics” and the common forms of unlawful discrimination.

> **Key Term: Equality Act 2010**
> The main law in Great Britain that protects people from unfair discrimination in work, education, and when using services.

#### Protected characteristics (the list to memorise)

The Equality Act 2010 identifies protected characteristics. You should be able to recognise the full list:

1. Age
2. Disability
3. Gender reassignment
4. Marriage and civil partnership
5. Pregnancy and maternity
6. Race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins)
7. Religion or belief (including no belief)
8. Sex
9. Sexual orientation

> **Key Term: Protected characteristic**
> A personal characteristic defined in law (such as race, religion, sex, age, or disability) that must not be the reason for unfair treatment.

A common point tested in multiple-choice questions is that “religion or belief” includes having no religion, and “race” includes nationality and ethnic origins, not only skin colour.

Another common point is that the law covers many settings: applying for a job, pay and promotion decisions, dismissal, education, and access to services (for example, shops, banks, housing services, and healthcare).

#### Types of discrimination you may be asked about

The test may use everyday examples and ask you to identify the type of unlawful behaviour.

- **Direct discrimination**: treating someone worse than another person because of a protected characteristic.  
  Example: refusing to hire someone because they are Muslim, or because they are disabled.

- **Indirect discrimination**: a rule or policy applied to everyone that disadvantages a protected group, unless it can be justified.  
  Example: requiring all staff to work every Saturday could disadvantage some religious groups, depending on the job and whether the requirement is necessary.

- **Harassment**: unwanted conduct linked to a protected characteristic that violates someone’s dignity or creates an intimidating or hostile environment.  
  Example: repeated insulting comments about a person’s race or sexuality at work.

- **Victimisation**: treating someone badly because they complained about discrimination or supported someone else’s complaint.  
  Example: an employer punishes a worker for giving evidence in a discrimination complaint.

> **Key Term: Discrimination**
> Unfair treatment because of a protected characteristic, including direct discrimination, indirect discrimination, harassment, or victimisation.
>
> **Test Tip:** “Treating everyone the same” can still be unlawful if a rule has an unfair effect on a protected group (indirect discrimination). Many exam questions are designed to check this.

### Public bodies and human rights expectations

The UK has a long history of protecting rights and freedoms, and modern human rights standards also influence expectations about equality. The European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) includes rights such as freedom of thought, conscience and religion, and freedom of expression. The Human Rights Act 1998 brought ECHR rights into UK law, meaning courts and public bodies must follow those principles.

This matters for equality and community life because public services should not treat people unfairly and must respect basic rights when making decisions.

### Getting help with discrimination

If you believe you have been discriminated against, the UK has support and advice routes. A common first step is getting advice through Citizens Advice. Equality bodies such as the Equality and Human Rights Commission (and equivalent bodies in Northern Ireland) can also help.

In real life, what you do next often depends on where the problem happened (workplace, school, housing, or a service). Many organisations have their own complaint procedures, and serious cases can go to a tribunal or court. For the Life in the UK Test, the main point is that discrimination is unlawful, and there are recognised routes to get help.

### Being a good neighbour: everyday community life

Community life is not only about formal politics. Practical ways to build good relationships locally include:

- Introduce yourself when you move to a new home.
- Respect neighbours’ privacy.
- Keep noise at a reasonable level.
- Keep your garden and shared spaces tidy.
- Put refuse and bins out only when collection is due.

These actions reduce conflict and make it easier to feel part of your area. They also fit the broader values of treating others fairly and behaving responsibly.

### Getting involved: volunteering and local activities

Volunteering is presented as an important way to join community life. It helps people meet others, learn about local services, and support the area where they live. You may volunteer through charities, community groups, schools, or local events.

This links directly to test themes: participation in community life is one of the fundamental principles, and helping others is listed as a shared responsibility.

### Jury service and democratic participation

Jury service is a concrete civic duty that is often tested. People on the electoral register may be selected at random to serve on a jury.

Key points to remember:

- You can be asked to do jury service if you are on the electoral register and aged 18 to 70 (and 18 to 75 in England and Wales).
- Selection is random from the electoral register.
- Jury service supports the justice system by involving members of the public in deciding certain cases.

> **Key Term: Jury service**
> A civic duty where members of the public, selected at random from the electoral register, help decide the verdict in some court cases.
>
> **Test Tip:** The exam may combine topics: being registered to vote can also mean you might be called for jury service. Remember “random selection from the electoral register”.

### Helping in schools and supporting local life

If you have children, community involvement often includes schools. Common examples include helping in classrooms, listening to children read, supporting activities, and helping with fundraising events for extra equipment or school trips.

Even if you do not have children, schools and community centres often run events open to residents. Taking part helps people make local connections and understand how services work.

### Safety, equality, and the law: abuse and exploitation are crimes

Equality also means being protected from violence and coercion. Several actions are illegal and treated seriously in the UK:

- **Domestic violence** is a serious crime. Violence towards a partner can be prosecuted whether the couple is married or living together, and whether the victim is a man or a woman. Rape within marriage is a crime: a husband who forces his wife to have sex can be charged with rape.

- **Female genital mutilation (FGM)** is illegal. Carrying it out in the UK, or taking a girl or woman abroad for FGM, is a criminal offence.

- **Forced marriage** is illegal. Arranged marriage is acceptable only if both people freely consent. Forced Marriage Protection Orders were introduced in 2008 in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland (with similar protection orders introduced in Scotland in 2011). Breaching an order can lead to prison.

These topics are examined because they test understanding of the rule of law, individual liberty, and protection from harm.

> **Key Term: Forced marriage**
> A marriage where one or both people do not (or cannot) give full and free consent; forcing someone to marry is a criminal offence in the UK.

## Key Point Checklist

_This article has covered the following key knowledge points:_

- The UK expects shared values such as obeying the law, respecting others’ rights, and treating people fairly
- The UK is diverse in ethnic and religious terms, and everyone has freedom of religion or belief (including no religion)
- 2011 Census figures include 59% Christian and 25% with no religion, with smaller Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Jewish, and Buddhist groups
- Equality is supported by law, including legal equality between men and women
- In Great Britain, the Equality Act 2010 is the main law protecting against discrimination
- The Equality Act 2010 lists nine protected characteristics, including race, religion or belief, sex, disability, and sexual orientation
- Discrimination can be direct, indirect, harassment, or victimisation
- Community participation includes being a considerate neighbour and supporting local activities
- Volunteering helps integration and supports local communities
- People on the electoral register may be randomly selected for jury service (age rules apply)
- Domestic violence, FGM, and forced marriage are illegal in the UK, and forced marriage can be addressed through court protection orders

## Key Terms and Concepts

- Equality
- Rule of law
- Freedom of religion or belief
- Equality Act 2010
- Protected characteristic
- Discrimination
- Jury service
- Forced marriage


Religion, communities, and diversity - Equality and community life