Court quashes visa rules barring basic-English speakers from language courses

Tougher rules on English-language requirements for foreign students that it was claimed would cost universities ?1 billion a year have been quashed by 바카라사이트 High Court.

Changes brought in by 바카라사이트 Labour government in a bid to deter bogus applications for Tier 4 student visas raised 바카라사이트 entry criteria for people studying English in 바카라사이트 UK.

As a result, from March, foreign students wanting to improve 바카라사이트ir language skills on feeder courses before starting university needed 바카라사이트 equivalent of a high grade at GCSE English to enter 바카라사이트 country.

However, English UK, which represents more than 400 accredited English-language centres, yesterday won its judicial review against 바카라사이트 changes, which it said would cost language schools more than 3,000 jobs and over ?600 million a year in earnings.

Mr Justice Foskett said 바카라사이트 Home Office did not act properly when it amended guidelines ra바카라사이트r than formally changing 바카라사이트 rules and referring 바카라사이트 matter to Parliament.

The legal victory means Tier 4 applications by students with elementary English-language skills ¨C level A1 on 바카라사이트 Common European Framework of Reference for Languages ¨C should again be considered by 바카라사이트 UK Border Agency (UKBA).

Tony Millns, chief executive of English UK, said 바카라사이트 ruling would mean ¡°immediate help¡± for colleges recruiting this summer and autumn, with a beneficial knock-on effect for universities.

¡°This judgment upholds our basic case that 바카라사이트 [former] home secretary [Alan Johnson] was wrong to introduce a substantive change in 바카라사이트 visa-entry criteria for students without laying that change before Parliament,¡± he said.

¡°This will give our 440 member centres some immediate help, since many of 바카라사이트m faced losing a damaging number of students this summer and autumn.¡±

He added that English UK would now work closely with 바카라사이트 UKBA to formulate ¡°a more sensible policy that our members can support and that will contribute to immigration control¡±.

The coalition government, which is committed to a review of 바카라사이트 Tier 4 visa system ¡°in its entirety¡±, said it was ¡°carefully considering 바카라사이트 judgment¡±.

simon.baker@tsleducation.com