Written questions by Lowe.

Whether there are any exemptions for English language tests in visa application processes.

Language service needs and spend are assessed to ensure these services offer good value for money for taxpayers while maintaining high standards of service delivery. The Government’s Immigration White Paper sets out plans for the new English Language requirements across a range of routes, and makes clear our belief that the ability to speak English is critical for anyone wishing to integrate successfully into our communities.However, there are some circumstances when it is essential to provide translation sources, for example when dealing with young women who have been trafficked into the UK against their will and subjected to sexual abuse and exploitation, and who require support and care after being rescued from those situations.

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department holds information on the breakdown of applicants in social housing by first language.

My Department does not hold data on the number of applicants for social housing by first language.

What information her Department holds on the proportion of jobseekers from overseas with limited English language skills that remain unemployed 12 months after their arrival in the UK.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 13th May is attached.

If they will make it their policy to not provide (a) translation and (b) interpretation for speakers of non-UK languages for services provided by their Department.

No, translation and interpretation for a range of languages other than English (‘non-UK’ languages) is, and will continue to be, required to provide a wide variety of services across multiple areas of Defence. Language service needs and spend are assessed to ensure these services offer good value for money for taxpayers while maintaining high standards of service delivery.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure that people working as (a) private hire and (b) taxi drivers are subject to immigration status checks; and how many enforcement actions have been taken against drivers found to be working illegally in each of the last three years.

The Home Office issues guidance to local authorities on preventing illegal working in the taxi and private hire sector. The guidance can be found on GOV.UK at: Licensing authority guide to right to work checks - GOV.UKEnforcement visits are intelligence led and undertaken across all employment sectors. The Home Office is committed to increasing illegal working enforcement visits across a range of sectors throughout 2025-2026.

Innovation and Technology, if they will make it their policy to not provide (a) translation and (b) interpretation for speakers of non-UK languages for services provided by their Department.

Services which DSIT offers to the public are set out on GOV.UK. Language service needs and spend are assessed to ensure these services offer good value for money for taxpayers while maintaining high standards of service delivery.

If they will make it their policy to not provide (a) translation and (b) interpretation for speakers of non-UK languages for services provided by their Department.

DWP has a statutory duty to provide language services to its customers in line with the Equality Act. The aim of the service is to provide spoken and written translation services for staff and customers who are deaf, hard of hearing or do not speak English as a first language in order to access DWP services. Language service needs and spend are assessed to ensure these services offer good value for money for taxpayers while maintaining high standards of service delivery. DWP has no plans to move away from this statutory duty.

If they will make it their policy to not provide (a) translation and (b) interpretation for speakers of non-UK languages for services provided by their Department.

Language service needs and spend are assessed to ensure these services offer good value for money for taxpayers while maintaining high standards of service delivery.

If they will make it their policy to not provide (a) translation and (b) interpretation for speakers of non-UK languages for services provided by their Department.

Language service needs and spend are assessed to ensure these services offer good value for money for taxpayers while maintaining high standards of service delivery.

If they will make it their policy to not provide (a) translation and (b) interpretation for speakers of non-UK languages for services provided by their Department.

Language service needs and spend are assessed to ensure these services offer good value for money for taxpayers while maintaining high standards of service delivery.

If he will list the days of (a) cultural and (b) religious significance publicly marked by the Prime Minister (i) since 4 July 2024 and (ii) for the next 12 months.

Days of cultural and religious significance are frequently marked by the Prime Minister. Please see the @10DowningStreet X account for regular updates.

If they will make it their policy to not provide (a) translation and (b) interpretation for speakers of non-UK languages for services provided by their Department.

The Ministry of Justice has statutory obligations to provide language services where they are needed in the delivery of justice services.

What guidance her Department issues to local licensing authorities on checking the (a) right-to-work and (b) immigration status of applicants for (i) taxi and (ii) private hire vehicle licences.

The Home Office issues guidance to local authorities on preventing illegal working in the taxi and private hire sector. The guidance can be found on GOV.UK at: Licensing authority guide to right to work checks - GOV.UKEnforcement visits are intelligence led and undertaken across all employment sectors. The Home Office is committed to increasing illegal working enforcement visits across a range of sectors throughout 2025-2026.

If they will make it their policy to not provide (a) translation and (b) interpretation for speakers of non-UK languages for services provided by their Department.

Language service needs and spend are assessed to ensure these services offer good value for money for taxpayers while maintaining high standards of service delivery.Regarding services provided by my department in particular, the Attorney General’s Office does not provide (a) translation and (b) interpretation for speakers of non-UK languages.

Whether her Department plans to increase the frequency of spot checks on taxi and private hire drivers to identify people working illegally.

The Home Office issues guidance to local authorities on preventing illegal working in the taxi and private hire sector. The guidance can be found on GOV.UK at: Licensing authority guide to right to work checks - GOV.UKEnforcement visits are intelligence led and undertaken across all employment sectors. The Home Office is committed to increasing illegal working enforcement visits across a range of sectors throughout 2025-2026.

If they will make it their policy to not provide (a) translation and (b) interpretation for speakers of non-UK languages for services provided by their Department.

Language service needs and spend are assessed to ensure these services offer good value for money for taxpayers while maintaining high standards of service delivery. DBT employ teams based in priority markets around the world and those teams often use local language skills to help UK businesses access opportunities to export their goods and services globally. Likewise, they will use local language skills to promote the UK to a global audience, and in particular to attract high value investment to the UK.

Media and Sport, if they will make it their policy to not provide (a) translation and (b) interpretation for speakers of non-UK languages for services provided by their Department.

Language service needs and spend are assessed to ensure these services offer good value for money for taxpayers while maintaining high standards of service delivery.

If they will make it their policy to not provide (a) translation and (b) interpretation for speakers of non-UK languages for services provided by their Department.

Language service needs and spend are assessed to ensure these services offer good value for money for taxpayers while maintaining high standards of service delivery. The Government’s Immigration White Paper sets out plans for the new English Language requirements across a range of routes, and makes clear our belief that the ability to speak English is critical for anyone wishing to integrate successfully into our communities.However, there are some circumstances when it is essential to provide translation sources, for example when dealing with young women who have been trafficked into the UK against their will and subjected to sexual abuse and exploitation, and who require support and care after being rescued from those situations.

Communities and Local Government, if they will make it their policy to not provide (a) translation and (b) interpretation for speakers of non-UK languages for services provided by their Department.

MHCLG uses language services to provide spoken and written translation services for those who are deaf, hard of hearing or do not speak English as a first language where required in line with the Equality Act 2010.Language service needs and spend are assessed to ensure these services offer good value for money for taxpayers while maintaining high standards of service delivery.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if they will make it their policy to not provide (a) translation and (b) interpretation for speakers of non-UK languages for services provided by their Department.

Language service needs and spend are assessed to ensure these services offer good value for money for taxpayers while maintaining high standards of service delivery.