No to pre-entry English tests for spouses of UK citizens

Preamble:

The government has announced plans to require foreign (non-EU) spouses of UK citizens to pass an English test before being allowed to come and live in the UK. It is claimed that this requirement would help to promote integration.

However, foreign spouses of UK citizens ALREADY have to pass an English test in order to stay in the UK, once they have been here for two years.The government has failed to explain why, if it is genuinely concerned about immigrants integrating and learning English, it does not focus instead on encouraging new immigrants to learn English once they are in the UK - surely the quickest and best way to learn English is in an English-speaking country. Crucially, many of those who will be affected by this new rule come from parts of the world where English tuition is poor or non-existent.


Petition:

We believe that it is important for new immigrants in the UK to learn English. However, we strongly oppose the proposed pre-entry English test for non-EU nationals wishing to join their spouses in the UK, because:

1. It discriminates against those living in parts of the world where good English tuition is not available.

2. It will separate/ prolong the separation of couples while the foreign partner studies English, or if he or she fails the test. This is a violation of the human right to have your private and family life respected.

3. It discriminates against non-EU nationals, and their UK spouses, as it will not apply to spouses from inside the EU who do not speak English

4. A one-off test before spouses arrive in the UK will NOT encourage applicants to make a long-term commitment to learning English.

5. The test is NOT the best way to help people learn English - the best place to learn English is in an English-speaking country, i.e., in the UK once the spouse arrives.

6. English lessons in the UK mean interacting with the local community outside the home, and are a far better way of guaranteeing integration and combating the isolation of new immigrants than a one-off test abroad.

7. Some applicants will have to travel hundreds of miles and even leave their home country in order to access English tuition and take the test at an approved centre. This is disruptive and places an unnecessary additional financial burden on individuals already paying hundreds of pounds to apply for a UK visa.

Regarding the exception of asylum seekers from this proposal:

We welcome the acknowledgement of the right of asylum seekers to bring their spouses to the UK, regardless of the spouse’s ability to speak English, and we demand that the government grant the same right to UK citizens.

We call upon the government to scrap this proposal immediately.