the british nationality act 1948 marked the first time that married british women gained independent nationality, regardless of the citizenship of their spouses. it established the status of "citizen of the united kingdom and colonies" (cukc), the national citizenship of the united kingdom and colonies on 1 january 1949. until the early 1960s there was little difference, if any, in uk law between the rights of cukcs and other british subjects, all of whom had the right at any time to enter, live and work in the uk.