British Nationality and English Language: Assessments
(asked on 12th April 2021) - View Source
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if the Government will take steps to review the English B1 and Life in UK Test for spouses and carers of disabled and extremely vulnerable patients in light of the role that carers and spouses have played during the covid-19 outbreak.
The Government believes those seeking to make a permanent home in the UK should be equipped to integrate successfully in the UK, with an appropriate level of English and an understanding of British life and society’s expectations.
All applicants between the ages of 18 and 65 are therefore required to pass the Life in the UK test; and meet the English language requirement, either when applying for settlement or citizenship.
There is discretion to waive these requirements if a person’s physical or mental condition means it would be unreasonable for them to have to pass the test or learn English. Applicants must submit a medical waiver form completed by a medical practitioner to support their request for exemption from these requirements.
Unless the requirement is met because the applicant is a national of a majority English-speaking country, or they have a degree taught or researched in English, we need to be satisfied as to their English language skills through the passing of a specified test at or above the required level.
We have established a range of measures to support those affected by the covid-19 outbreak. We continue to monitor the situation closely and take these exceptional circumstances into account.
Where a test centre is closed or inaccessible due to covid-19, an application will be put on hold and applicants are permitted to submit their test certificates at a later date. Further information about the current concessions in place can be found here:
If there is evidence the inability of an applicant to meet these requirements due to covid-19 will lead to significant detriment to the circumstances, dignity, and well-being of any disabled and extremely vulnerable patient who is dependent on them for their care, the Secretary of State has the power to grant leave on a discretionary basis outside the Immigration Rules. Further information on the requirements for cases considered outside the Immigration Rules can be found here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/chapter-1-section-14-leave-outside-the-immigration-rules.