Written questions by Stephenson.

What assessment she has made of the potential risk that takers of the fully remote Home Office English Language Test may use artificial intelligence technology to circumvent testing integrity; and what safeguards her Department will put in place to help tackle the potential risks to testing integrity posed by the increasing availability of wearable technology outside of secure test centres.

The Home Office takes the integrity of the Home Office English Language Test seriously and has assessed a range of risks, including those posed by emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence tools and wearable devices. The Department recognises that technological developments can present new challenges to test security in remote environments. Any provider appointed through the procurement process will be required to demonstrate that their solution includes best-in-class safeguards capable of addressing these risks. The specification includes requirements for technical and procedural controls to mitigate cheating methods, and this will be a key factor in the evaluation of bids.

Pursuant to Parliamentary Question 104261 answered on 16 January 2026, to which budgets the ‘net positive benefit to the public purse’ of the new Home Office English Language Test will be attributed to.

As set out in the answer of 16 January 2026, today's Secure English Language Testing concessions collect all applicants' fees with no return to the Department to cover the costs of managing and overseeing delivery. The new Home Office English Language Test service will deliver a net positive benefit to the public purse by changing that financial arrangement.The Department has not made a separate published assessment of the net financial benefit of a model combining digital and in-person security measures compared to the model being tendered. The procurement specification sets out the security and integrity requirements that any delivery model must meet, and cost is assessed alongside those requirements as part of the evaluation process. The overall value for money assessment will be made in the context of the full evaluation.A specific estimate of the net positive benefit has not been published, as the procurement process is ongoing and the financial arrangements will be determined at contract award.

Pursuant to Parliamentary Question 104261 answered on 16 January 2026, if the lower cost of the Home Office English Language Test will be passed on to test takers.

The fee structure for the Home Office English Language Test has not yet been set, as the procurement process is ongoing. The Department is committed to ensuring the test is accessible to those required to take it. The final fee to test takers will be determined as part of the contract and will be subject to the approval of Parliament. The Department will provide further information on fees in due course. Any income the Home Office receives from these fees will play an essential role in supporting the sustainable funding of the migration and borders system.

Pursuant to the Answer of 18 March 2026 to Question 119566 on Industry: Working Hours, when he plans to publish the public consultation on guaranteed hours.

The government will consult on the right to guaranteed hours in due course, to be sure to get the detail of the regulations right for both workers and employers across all sectors.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the conflict in Iran on energy prices.

Attacks have targeted energy production and export infrastructure across the Gulf. Traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, through which around 20% of global oil and LNG is shipped, has declined very significantly. This is putting upward pressure on global prices, which remain volatile. Ensuring the safe transit of tankers through the Strait of Hormuz is the crucial enduring solution.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of guaranteed hours requirements on small and medium-sized enterprises operating in sectors reliant on temporary labour.

The government has published a comprehensive assessment of the potential impacts of the zero hours contract measures in the Employment Rights Act 2025.This analysis includes consideration of increases in labour costs and effects on flexibility for micro, small and medium-sized businesses, and identifies the sectors most likely to be affected by the measures.

Whether the Government plans to introduce sector-specific exemptions from the right to guaranteed hours in industries with seasonal or fluctuating demand.

Exemptions to the duty to offer guaranteed hours may be made by Ministers in regulations and will be subject to a full public consultation on how the measures are implemented. However, we envisage that any exemptions to the duty to offer guaranteed hours will be narrow.

Whether he has made representations to the Foreign Secretary on the potential for British International Investment to contribute funding to the Tropical Forest Forever Facility.

The Government continues to be supportive of the Tropical Forest Forever Facility and has reviewed a range of options to support an investment, including the potential of BII to contribute to funding the Facility. The Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero and his officials have been working closely with their counterparts across government, including in the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has had discussions with the British International Investment on the Tropical Forest Investment Fund.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 11 November in response to Question 87351.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of British International Investment contributing funding to the Tropical Forest Forever Facility.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 11 November in response to Question 87351.

What assessment she has made with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government of the potential impact of the fair funding formula on levels of inequality of access to services.

This government is delivering fairer funding for councils in England. By targeting money where it is needed most, these reforms will improve services for people in deprived places and have positive equalities impacts. Following extensive consultation and engagement, we consulted on allocations at the provisional Local Government Finance Settlement and will set out final allocations at the final Settlement in February.

What proportion of higher education providers require Student Visa applicants to prove their knowledge of English before issuing a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies.

To make a successful Student visa application, all international students must meet the relevant English Language requirement that applies to their circumstances, in line with Appendix Student of the Immigration Rules. The methods that a Student may rely on to meet their English Language requirement are outlined in Appendix English Language of the Immigration Rules. Whilst most acceptable methods require submission of evidence with the application, where the student is studying a course at degree level of above at a Higher Education Provider with a track record of compliance, the sponsor can make a self assessment. The Home Office does not record data on which methods students have relied on for the purposes of meeting the English Language requirements in a manner that enables comparative figures to be produced.All student sponsors have a duty to assess that each student’s English language ability is of the required level as specified in Appendix Student before they issue a CAS to the student. Sponsors are required to state the evidence used to assess the student’s English language ability on the CAS.

Pursuant to the answer to written question 78022, what proportion of the 7,130 arrests have resulted in one or more deportations since 5 July 2024.

The information you have requested is published at Illegal working and enforcement activity to the end of December 2025 - GOV.UK

What proportion of Secure English Language Tests were obtained via remote testing in 2024-25.

The current Secure English Language Testing contract is one that was tendered and awarded for physical test sites therefore, remote testing is not currently offered as part of the Secure English Language Test service.

What information her Department holds on the number of other countries that are using methods similar to the proposed remote and digital by default testing for English language requirements for UK visas.

Home Office English Language Testing, post procurement and implementation in late 2027/ early 2028 will be one of the first primarily remote language testing services for government, with significant benefits to customers, strengthened identity management and security and much greater visibility and control over the service for the department. The service will include proven elements of existing Home Office delivery including identification technology to assure identity, audit and assurance processes and robust oversight of services and delivery.

What proportion of students obtaining a student visa for study at a higher education provider since July 2024 have provided proof that they can speak English.

All successful Student visa applications to study at a Higher Education Provider (HEP) must demonstrate that they meet the English language requirement as specified in the Immigration Rules.The ways that English language can be demonstrated can be found at:Immigration Rules - Immigration Rules: Appendix Student - Guidance - GOV.UKImmigration Rules - Immigration Rules Appendix English Language - Guidance - GOV.UK

Whether her Department plans to hold a trial of the proposed remote and digital-by-default method of English language testing for visas.

As part of the procurement, we have undertaken significant Market Engagement that has already assessed the deliverability of the service and there will be robust processes for evaluation of bids and subsequent mobilisation that will assure that the service is secure, safe and delivers our intent. This will include significant IT testing including robust quality assurance testing and an implementation that follows standard agile delivery phases, including private and public beta stages with defined entry and exit criteria that must be met before progressing and scaling the solution.

What proportion of students obtaining a Student Visa for study at a higher education provider since July 2024 have provided a Secure English Language Test from an approved provider.

All successful Student visa applications from a Higher Education Provider (HEP) must demonstrate that the student has the required English Language.The Study Sponsor Guidance sets out the requirements for a sponsor’s duty for English Language assessment on page 31. It details how a HEP with a track record of compliance can self-assess English Language. If not a HEP with a track record of compliance, it details how students demonstrate their English language competence.Student Sponsor Guidance - Document 2: Sponsorship DutiesA sponsor who is self-assessing may use a SELT. There are no published statistics showing this breakdown.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of moving to digital by default on the security of English language testing.

We have engaged the market to understand what capability is available to maintain the high standards of security and integrity of the test and have developed a robust security schedule and solution requirements to ensure this remains at the heart of the digital by default solution. Security measures will be assessed as part of the procurement process and assured during implementation.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the move to remote and digital by default English language testing for UK visas on the public purse.

Today’s Secure English Language Testing concessions collect all applicants’ fees with no return to the department to cover the costs of managing and overseeing delivery. There will be a net positive benefit to the public purse for this new HO ELT service.