Home Office under fire for refusing to recognise Scottish-based English language qualifications

The Home Office is facing criticism for its refusal to recognise Scottish-based English language tests for people seeking British citizenship.

Previously, those applying for citizenship could prove their knowledge of English by passing tests administered by different providers, among them the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA).

But new Home Office measures meant to tighten standards mean only qualifications operated by the University of Cambridge will be recognised from November.

A Glasgow-based charity, The Bridges Programmes, which works with refugees and asylum seekers attacked the changes.

The organisation said: “It has taken organisations like our own and others many years to help employers understand the SQA qualifications so that being a non-native English speaker is no longer an automatic barrier to integration in the workplace.

“Anything which might reduce the uptake of SQA qualifications and the resultant confusion amongst employers we believe will seriously hamper future integration into the workplace.

“It is completely unacceptable that a reserved Westminster department can have the power to overrule and under value a devolved matter such as education.

“We urge the Scottish government to seek immediate clarification from the Home Office and to open negotiations with them to ensure that Scottish national qualifications are re-instated as suit able evidence of citizenship.”

The Scottish government has already written to the Home Office on the matter.

Andy Knox, a senior solicitor at Hamilton Burns WS said: “The requirements for an English language qualification from a UKVI approved test provider has been a pre-requisite for obtaining a number of different types of visas, for a number of years.

“Historically, the number of ‘bogus’ further education institutions offering English language qualifications has been determined by the Home Office an area prone to abuse.

“For example, as recently as January 2014 a large international language testing provider was suspected of involvement in fabrication of test scores, with their accreditation being withdrawn and tens of thousands of student and other visas being revoked pending further investigation.”

Mr Knox added: “The most recent changes effective from 6th April 2015 represents a further tightening of the system.

“Scottish Qualification Authority awards previously included on the list of accredited providers appear to have been removed.

“The revised list appears to leave just one operational test centre for Scotland in Glasgow. Whether this is an oversight on the part of the secretary of state, or whether the list will be added to in the future, will remain to be seen.

“One can perhaps imagine the administrative delays that will be caused by demand for test booking outstripping supply.

“As it stands, it would seem to add a further administrative hurdle to a system of immigration control widely accepted to be unfit for purpose, and damaging to the economic recovery.”

A spokesman for the Scottish government said the First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, was taking the issue up on behalf of the SQA.

He said: “We are concerned this move by the Home Office will have a negative impact on how provision and qualifications are promoted and taken in Scotland and the first minister has written to the Immigration Minister to outline these concerns.

“We know the SQA has stringent processes in place with Scottish centres to ensure the system works correctly and we are seeking urgent clarification on the impact that these changes will have in Scotland.”

Gill Stewart, director of qualifications development for the SQA, added: “We immediately raised this matter with the Scottish government and made representations to the Home Office.

“Given the stated timeframe we have informed our centres of this proposed change.”

A spokesman for UK Visas and Immigration said the Home Office has made the changes to rationalise the system across the UK.

He said: “Historically, we have accepted a wider range of English language qualifications for settlement and naturalisation.

“However, it is important that the immigration system has the same security features across the board to limit abuse and those seeking permanent residence meet the same standards as temporary migrants.”