Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make it his policy to abolish his Department's requirement for additional English language tests for applicants (a) seeking renewal of leave to remain and (b) who have already passed the first English language test.

We expect those coming to the UK on a family visa with only basic English to become more fluent over time, to support their integration.

A2 level English language requirement under the family Immigration Rules applies to applications for further temporary leave to remain as a partner or parent, after 30 months in the UK on a five-year route to settlement.

Tests that exceed the required A1 level on entry to the partner or parent route, met at A2 level or above, may be re-used at the next application stage.