UK citizenship ceremonies descend into chaos as councillors debate whether to provide tea and biscuits

The proposal from Michael Kusznir, representing the ward of Torry and Ferry, was met with a tight-fisted response from other officials.

Kusznir told the Press and Journal that the “penny-pinching attitude” from his fellows was “unnecessarily unwelcoming” as the well-meaning gesture sparked a debate on the merits of providing cups of tea and Jammie Dodgers.

He called on the council to resume offering the modest offering of snacks and refreshments at the venue in Marischal College, where up to 25 new citizens are celebrated pledging their loyalty to King and country every three weeks.

The cost of becoming a British citizen currently stands at £1,500, with new Britons expected to fork out an additional £130 for the citizenship ceremony.

Passing the £50 Life in the UK Test requires a 75 per cent pass rate and features questions about British history and everyday living.

In opposition to tea and biscuits, SNP convenor Miranda Radley claimed the space “does not have capacity for refreshments.”

As of last year, councillors have also put a stop to new citizens inviting guests to share in the memory of their achievement.

The council chamber discussion centred on the perceived £20,000 annual cost of providing refreshments to new Britons at citizenship ceremonies.

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Independent councillor Jennifer Stewart heard the costs estimated at £3.50 per head, which she called out as being “quite a lot for a cup of tea,” given bags of 400 could be purchased for just £4 in some places.

She told her fellow councillors: “It does kind of remind me of discussing cups of tea and Jammie Dodgers and custard creams at playgroup.”

Kusznir told the Press & Journal he acknowledged the “small” financial cost, but said it would be “worth it” for the “benefit of engaging with our new citizens”.

“Let’s give a bit of hospitality as we used to – and offer tea, coffee, water and biscuits,” he said, adding “The council should treat those who chose to become British citizens better.”

Opposing council officials opposing the motion argued that providing tea and biscuits was “nigh on impossible”, asserting that the table “would take up half the room”.

Labour committee members took offence at the penny-pinching arguments of the ruling SNP and Lib Dem group, having taken the citizenship test themselves.

The council’s Labour leader, M. Tauqeer Malik, took the citizenship oath in 1991 and councillor Deena Tissera became a British citizen in June 2023.

Malik told councillors that rejecting the humble submission “would hurt us”, while Tissera casually pointed out Aberdeen’s Lord Provost spent thousands of pounds of taxpayer money on a new suit.

Ultimately, the SNP and Liberal Democrat group voted against the provision of tea and biscuits for new citizens, ending the discussion with five votes to four.

In a parting shot, SNP Convenor Miranda Radley told the Torry and Ferry representative: “It is ironic for a Conservative councillor to say that his party are welcoming to people when they have instead put barrier after barrier to stop migrants coming to contribute to our city.”