Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Covid-19: English Language Testing

Monday 23 March 2020 · 1 question

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Caroline Ansell asked the government about reviewing the English language testing requirement for student visas due to closed test centres.
  • The government responded that they are working to ensure foreign students are not unfairly penalised by these events.
  • They have already extended visas for Chinese nationals and are considering further measures like in-country switching.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Caroline Ansell Con Eastbourne
Immigration
Context

The closure of overseas language test centres due to the COVID-19 outbreak has raised concerns about the impact on foreign students seeking to study in the UK.

Question

What plans does the government have to review the English language testing requirement for student visas as a result of the closure of overseas language test centres?

Answer from Kevin Foster (The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Universities)

We are working hard to ensure that no foreign students are penalised unfairly by these events. We have already done a block extension of visas for Chinese nationals, and we are looking at further measures such as allowing in-country switching to ensure no one is penalised due to circumstances beyond their control.

Answered
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