Religions in the UK

Christian (10% of whom are Roman Catholic) 71.6%
Muslim 2.7%
Hindu 1.0%
Sikh 0.6%
Jewish 0.5%
Buddhist 0.3%
Other 0.3%
Total All 77%
No Religion 15.5%
Not Stated 7.3%

Source: National Statistics from the 2001 census

The Christian Churches

The Church of England is a Protestant church and has existed since the Reformation in the 1530's. The king or queen (the monarch) is the head, or the Supreme Governor, of the Church of England. The monarch is not allowed to marry anyone who is not Protestant. The spiritual leader of the Church of England is the Archbishop of Canterbury. The monarch has the right to select the Archbishop and other senior church officials, but usually the choice is made by the Prime Minister and a committee appointed by the Church. Several Church of England bishops sit in the House of Lords (see chapter 4). In Scotland the established church is the Presbyterian Church; its head is the Chief Moderator. There is no established church in Wales or in Northern Ireland.

Other Protestant Christian groups in the UK are Baptists, Presbyterians, Methodists and Quakers. 10% of Christians are Roman Catholic (40% in Northern Ireland).

Patron Saints

England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland each have a national saint called a patron saint. Each saint has a feast day. In the past these were celebrated as holy dates when many people had a day off work. Today these are not public holidays except for 17 March in Northern Ireland.

Patron saints' days

St David's Day Wales 1 March
St Patrick's Day Northern Ireland 17 March
St George's Day England 23 April
St Andrew's Day Scotland 30 November


There are also four public holidays a year called Bank Holidays. These are of no religious or national significance.

Take Free Life in the UK Sample Test:

The www.prepareuktest.co.uk website helps you to prepare for the Life in the UK Test. This site provides you with the practical skills you need to take the British Citizenship Test.