All migrant workers will have to learn English to the equivalent of A-level standard from January under new rules published by the government to ensure that migrants “learn our language and play their part”.
At present, visa applicants must meet a standard of English equivalent to GCSE level. Under the changes, those applying for most work visas will have to meet tougher requirements for speaking, listening, reading and writing English.
Shabana Mahmood, the home secretary, said: “This country has always welcomed those who come to this country and contribute. But it is unacceptable for migrants to come here without learning our language, unable to contribute to our national life. If you come to this country, you must learn our language and play your part.”
Shabana Mahmood, the home secretary, said migrants must be able to “contribute to national life”
WIKTOR SZYMANOWICZ/FUTURE PUBLISHING VIA GETTY IMAGES
On Wednesday, Mahmood will host her counterparts from six western Balkan countries that are crucial in efforts to prevent illegal immigration into Europe. She will admit that Britain and other European countries do not have control of their borders and that failure to introduce tougher rules risks “eroding trust” not only in political leaders but in nation states themselves.
The western Balkans are a transit route for people-smuggling. Nearly 22,000 arrived through the route last year, although the numbers have fallen after an increase in enforcement measures backed by Britain and the European Union.
Mahmood hopes to make progress on agreeing on a series of new return hubs with some of the countries at the conference.
The government views countries in the western Balkans as the most likely to agree to establish overseas hubs where rejected asylum seekers can be sent after exhausting all their avenues of appeal in the UK. They have been identified as countries needing economically active migrants to help develop key industries. Any deal would require Britain to pay for each failed asylum seeker relocated.
Small boats used in Channel crossings
TOLGA AKMEN/EPA
The president of Kosovo, one of the poorest nations in Europe, with a population of about 1.6 million, has said her country would be open to the idea of hosting one of Britain’s return hubs.
Speaking at the opening of the conference, Mahmood is expected to say: “The citizens of each of our countries have a very simple expectation of us. The public rightly expect that their government will be able to determine who enters their country, and who must leave. Today, in this country, and I know in many if not all of yours, that is not the case.
“The failure to bring order to our borders is eroding trust not just in us as political leaders … But in the credibility of the state itself.”
Under the English language changes, visa applicants will have to pass the secure in-person test at a Home Office-approved provider and their results will be checked as part of the visa process. The changes will apply from January 1 next year.
The changes will apply to those applying for skilled worker and scale-up visa routes, as well as graduates under the high-potential individual (HPI) visa.
The changes are part of the government’s efforts to reduce overall immigration after net migration hit an all-time record high of 906,000 in 2023. It almost halved to 431,000 last year, but Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to cut numbers even further.
Mahmood has spoken about her intention to introduce a contribution-based immigration system whereby migrants must show they are adding to the economy, performing public service or volunteering in order to stay in the UK long-term.
• Keir Starmer promises to end asylum seekers’ ‘golden ticket’ to UK
The tougher language requirement will not apply to family members who come with migrant workers, known as dependants. Separate changes will require them to learn a standard of English equivalent to GCSE. At present they do not have to speak any English at all. The government has not said when the changes for dependants will be introduced.
The changes have been criticised as pushing a false narrative that migrants in the UK lack basic English skills. Dr Dora-Olivia Vicol, chief executive of Work Rights Centre, said: “Increasing English language requirements from intermediate to upper intermediate won’t make any difference to integration — this is already happening. It will simply make migrants feel less welcome and reinforce false stereotypes.”
• Cindy Yu: Hong Kong’s migrants are the ones we need
At the conference Mahmood will also warn that Britons’ trust in politicians is plummeting due to a perceived failure to control borders. She will say that the public “rightly expect their government will be able to determine who enters the country, and who must leave”.
She will say: “Today, in this country … that is not the case, and the failure to bring order to our borders is eroding trust not just in us as political leaders … but in the credibility of the state itself.”
She is also expected to vow to continue tackling such “challenges” and that “in coming together as we are today we will make all of our borders and our countries stronger”.
Other measures introduced to parliament on Tuesday include cutting how long international students can stay in the UK to find a graduate job after their course has ended from two years to 18 months. This will take effect from January 2027.
Students will also have to meet higher financial requirements to come to the UK, raised from £1,136 to £1,171 per month outside London for up to nine months.
The government will expand the HPI route that allows graduates from the top 100 universities to come to the UK. The route is designed to attract skilled people across the world. The number of people entering on the HPI visa is expected to double from 2,000 to 4,000 and there will be a cap of 8,000 each year.