Asked by: Lord Knight of Weymouth (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to improve access to training relating to the five technologies identified as critical in the Science and Technology Framework, published on 6 March.
Answered by Viscount Camrose - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Government's Science and Technology Framework, published March 2023, recognises the importance of training across the five critical technologies. The talent and skills strand outlines the actions the Government is taking across the science and technology landscape. This includes establishing 21 Institutes of Technology to provide industry-standard training facilities. Technology-specific examples include £25 million increased investment in quantum fellowships, doctoral training and apprenticeships. Additionally, the Government is providing £117 million for AI researchers doctoral training, and publishing new guidance that sets out AI competencies for the workplace. Investment in training will contribute to realising the UK’s 2030 science superpower ambitions.
Asked by: Lord Knight of Weymouth (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Murray of Blidworth on 18 September (HL9792), whether they will now answer the question put; namely, what proportion of shortage occupation skilled worker visa applicants have passed the English language test requirements in the past six months broken down by occupation type.
Answered by Lord Murray of Blidworth
As the Government set out in the previous answer, the requirement to speak English is a core principle of the points-based immigration system – including for occupations on the Shortage Occupation List (SOL). All successful applicants for the Skilled Worker visa (which include SOL occupations) will have demonstrated they can read, write, speak, and understand English to at least level B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale.
It is not possible to provide data on those who do not pass because in many cases, people will simply not make or complete an application, but no reason will be captured in these cases.
The latest published immigration statistics, up to year-ending June 2023, show that there were 190,711 grants to Skilled Worker visa applicants (which includes the Skilled Worker and Health & Care Worker visa). The immigration statistics also provide a breakdown of applications by occupation, and can be accessed here: www.gov.uk/government/statistics/immigration-system-statistics-year-ending-june-2023/why-do-people-come-to-the-uk-to-work
Asked by: Lord Knight of Weymouth (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the recent addition of fishing occupations to the skilled worker visa shortage occupation list on the fishing industry; and what plans they have to ensure that that industry has an adequately skilled workforce.
Answered by Lord Benyon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The addition of two fishing occupations to the Shortage Occupation List (SOL) is part of the Government’s comprehensive package to support fishing businesses make use of the Skilled Worker visa. These occupations will benefit from dispensations from the immigration system, including lower salary thresholds and visa fees. Given the occupations were only added to the SOL on 7 August, it is too early to assess uptake of the offer. The Government has also awarded £1.1 million under the UK Seafood Fund to help skill up and train workers in the UK seafood sector.
Asked by: Lord Knight of Weymouth (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what proportion of shortage occupation skilled worker visa applicants have passed the English language test requirements in the last six months broken down by occupation type.
Answered by Lord Murray of Blidworth
The requirement to speak English is a core principle of the points-based immigration system – including for occupations on the Shortage Occupation List. All successful applicants for the Skilled Worker visa will have demonstrated they can read, write, speak, and understand English to at least level B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale.
Further information on the English language requirement can be found on the .gov webpage overview of the Skilled Worker route, accessible here:
www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/knowledge-of-english