Shabana Mahmood issued warning over 'fundamental mistake' amid plan to change migrant language test

Ed Griffiths
Fri, 01 May 2026 18:41:39 +0000

Shabana Mahmood has been warned Labour will be making a "fundamental mistake" if new regulations to test migrants’ English language skills online are introduced, Cambridge University's chancellor, Lord Smith, has warned.

Under new proposals by the Home Secretary, anyone applying via certain legal routes must meet requirements online rather than in person.

The former New Labour culture secretary cautioned the Government's £800million scheme would leave the process open to exploitation by cheats trying to “game” the system.

Lord Smith argued it would be "foolish to persist" with remote testing for migrants who must demonstrate English ability to obtain UK visas for work, study or residence.

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He wrote in The Telegraph: "The present system of tests taking place in person in secure locations around the world works well. These plans risk putting all of this in jeopardy. I urge the Government to think again."

The Home Office has tendered a five-year contract worth £816million for providers to administer English tests to tens of thousands of migrants from as many as 150 countries, with the new system potentially launching in December.

Under current arrangements, applicants sit examinations at overseas centres under the supervision of qualified invigilators.

Now, instead of relying on the "tried and tested" approach, ministers intend to abandon this in favour of fully remote assessments.

Fears have arisen that fraudsters and organised criminal networks could manipulate results by impersonating examiners and using artificial intelligence.

Lord Smith said: "The Home Office are currently in serious danger of making a fundamental mistake in relation to this."

The Educational Testing Service, A major testing organisation, whose membership includes Cambridge University Press and Assessment, has now pulled out of the bidding process.

Lord Smith warned test-takers might also share their screen with an accomplice or use an earpiece connected to someone providing responses on their behalf.

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He said: "There are a multitude of ways to 'game' the system when it is done entirely online. AI-enabled cheating is a mounting challenge. Have ministers really thought this through?"

Lord Smith, who served as culture secretary between 1997 and 2001, emphasised English comprehension and speaking ability were "essential" for those coming to Britain.

Ms Mahmood is also seeking to increase the language threshold for visa applicants from GCSE to A-level standard as part of broader integration efforts.

Previously speaking on the policy, the Home Secretary said: "This country has always welcomed those who come to this country and contribute.

She added: "But it is unacceptable for migrants to come here without learning our language, unable to contribute to our national life. If you come to this country, you must learn our language and play your part."

The Home Office told The Telegraph the tender for the new exam system had canvassed the market to understand the capabilities available to meet the highest security standards, including the risk of fraud.

A spokesman said: "Secure English Language Testing is a fundamental part of the UK’s immigration system.

"We are still in the process of securing a test provider who will meet the highest thresholds of data security and fraud prevention."