People Management quotes Owen Chan on the UK government's plans to raise English language requirements on migrants

The UK government has set out extensive new restrictions for workers and dependants entering the UK in an attempt to curtail immigration numbers in a white paper released on Monday 12 May.

As reported by People Management, a much-discussed aspect of the proposals were the increased English language requirements, with prime minister Keir Starmer stating in his speech: “When people come to our country, they should also commit to integration, to learning our language, and our system should actively distinguish between those that do and those that don’t. I think that’s fair.”

To achieve this aim, the government will raise language requirements for skilled workers and workers who already have a language requirement from B1 to B2 levels, in accordance with the Common European Framework for Reference for Languages (CEFR). 

All adult dependants of workers and students will also need to achieve A1, in alignment with current requirements for spousal and partner routes. The government has also stated this requirement will be increased over time. Additionally, those extending their visas will also have to show progression to level A2, and those applying for settlement will be required to achieve B2. 

Commenting on the white paper, Owen Chan, Senior Associate in our Immigration team, features in the article. Owen argues:

Looking at the roles that the UK currently faces a skills shortage on the (soon to be abolished) Immigration Salary List, it is not immediately apparent that an upper immediate English proficiency, as opposed to an intermediate proficiency, would make a significant difference in job performance.

Owen explains out that these roles include dancers and musicians, jobs in the fishing industry and skilled metal, construction and building trades, none of which would require a higher level of English ability to improve job performance. He warns:

As such, for employers facing skills shortages, increasing the English language requirement to B2 may in fact have the opposite effect of making it more difficult for them to recruit.

Finally, Owen explains that companies who plan to continue to recruit those from other countries “may wish to incorporate English language lessons or similar support as part of their relocation arrangement”. 

Read the full article in People Management here.