Chapter 4 · A modern, thriving society
The UK today: Life in the UK test study notes
The UK is a small country, but it is varied. Its mainland is about 870 miles (1,400 km) long. It runs from John O'Groats on Scotland's north coast to Land's End, at the far end of Cornwall. London is the capital of the UK. It is also the capital of England. The other capitals are Edinburgh in Scotland, Cardiff in Wales and Belfast in Northern Ireland. The UK's currency is the pound sterling, and one pound is 100 pence. Banks in Scotland and Northern Ireland print their own banknotes. You can spend these notes anywhere in the UK, but shops may refuse them. People speak English with many regional accents and dialects. Welsh is widely used across Wales. Scottish Gaelic is used in parts of Scotland's Highlands and Islands, and some people in Northern Ireland speak Irish Gaelic. In 2010, just over 62 million people lived in the UK. Most people live in England. People are living longer than in the past. Women take a full part in working life. Society is becoming more and more diverse, with people from many different backgrounds. You notice this most in big cities like London.
Key facts to remember
- About 870 miles (1,400 km) – the longest distance on the mainland, from John O'Groats on Scotland's north coast to Land's End at England's south-western tip.
- Capital cities: London (England and the UK), Edinburgh (Scotland), Cardiff (Wales) and Belfast (Northern Ireland).
- The currency is the pound sterling (£), made up of 100 pence. Coins in everyday use range from 1p to £2 and include a 20p coin; there is no 30p or £3 coin.
- Banknotes printed in Scotland and Northern Ireland can be used throughout the UK, but shops and businesses may refuse them.
- Welsh is widely spoken in Wales and taught in its schools and universities.
- Scottish Gaelic is spoken in parts of the Highlands and Islands of Scotland; some people in Northern Ireland speak Irish Gaelic.
- 2010 – the UK population was just over 62 million.
- 2017 – the UK population was just over 66 million, according to the handbook's population table (the ONS estimate for mid-2024 is about 69.3 million).
- Where people live: England about 84%, Scotland about 8%, Wales about 5% and Northern Ireland less than 3%.
- Population growth has been faster in recent years, partly because of migration and longer life expectancy.
- People are living longer thanks to better living standards and healthcare; a record number are aged 85 or over, which raises pension and healthcare costs.
- It is against the law to discriminate against someone at work because of their sex or whether or not they are married.
- Men and women have equal rights in work, property, marriage and divorce; married parents share equal responsibility for their children.
- Women form roughly half the workforce. Girls, on average, finish school better qualified than boys, and female university students outnumber male ones.
- The population is ethnically diverse and changing fast, most noticeably in big cities like London.
- Because of immigration since the Second World War, almost one in ten people has a parent or grandparent who was born abroad.
Test yourself on chapter 4
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These notes summarise the official handbook, Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition), which all the test questions come from. Try the free chapter 4 questions.