Tender for The Knowledge of Life in the UK (LitUK) Testing Service

Tender description

The Home Office wishes to appoint a supplier for the provision of a service to develop and deliver a test of the knowledge of Life in the UK based on the Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents, handbook, currently published by TSO Williams Lea (https://www.officiallifeintheuk.co.uk/) Lot 1: Since 2005, citizenship applicants have been required to show an understanding of Life in the UK (LitUK). The requirements were extended to indefinite leave to remain (settlement) applications in 2007. c200,000 customers have taken the test in the past year. LitUK is currently a computer based multiple choice test containing 24 questions and is designed to test customers knowledge of life in the UK with a 75% pass mark. The customer has 45 minutes to answer questions based on the content of the Life in the UK handbook. Tests are taken under Home Office prescribed secure conditions where secure relates to: 1. Processes to verify the identity of the customer; 2. Ensuring that it is only the validated customer who takes the test and does so under exam conditions with an appropriately trained invigilator to eliminate the ability to cheat; and 3. Ongoing audits, both internal and via external independent auditors, of the physical test points, processes and delivery systems in order to ensure that the security and integrity protocols are being strictly adhered to. There are currently c30 test centres in the UK and one overseas test centre in Cyprus (MOD premises) with an average travel time for candidates to the centre of their choice of less than 30 minutes. There are several exceptions to those who must take the test if the customer is: 1. under 18 years of age 2. over 65 years of age 3. has passed it before 4. has a long term physical or mental condition Provision of the knowledge of life and language in the UK tests are a statutory service and the fee for taking the test must be and are set in legislation by the Home Office. The Immigration and Nationality (Fees) Regulations 2018 specify in Schedule 11, the current fee, at the time of publishing this ITT is £50. Any change to the fee amount must be enabled by a change to these Regulations, prior to the new fee being charged and are not set by the Supplier of the service.