Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what independent assurance her Department has sought from Ofqual, the National Cyber Security Centre or other relevant expert bodies on identity verification, remote proctoring and AI-enabled cheating risks in the Home Office English Language Test.

The Home Office English Language Testing procurement places security and integrity at the heart of the digital-by-default solution. The programme has engaged with the National Cyber Security Centre and the HOELT security schedule is aligned to the National Cyber Security Centre's Cyber Assessment Framework. Bidders are required to demonstrate compliance with data security, cyber security, fraud prevention and accessibility standards before contract award. In addition, the Home Office are committed to working with Ofqual through to mobilisation to protect the integrity of these high-stakes tests, and it is anticipated that the successful bidder will either hold, or apply for, Ofqual recognition.