Earlier this week, the government launched a white paper outlining a raft of measures to reduce migration to the UK.

It sets out a tightening of rules around skilled work visas, more rigorous language requirements, and higher fees for employing migrants. This marks a significant shift in the trajectory of UK immigration policy.

As an international skills charity, we value the government's pledge to invest in the skills of learners and workers already in the UK and to grow our domestic expertise. We are also keenly aware of the challenges the government faces regarding immigration. However, given our mission to support a diverse, skilled, and accredited workforce, we understand the key role economic migration plays in addressing skills shortages and relieving pressure on our public services.

It seems hard to imagine, for example, how the government will successfully build the 1.5 million homes it has committed to over the next five years without drawing on a global construction workforce.

As outlined in a paper last week on UK soft power, to which we contributed as a member of the UK Soft Power Group, anti-immigration sentiments may hinder the UK's position as a collaborative, trusted international partner. Many of the colleges and training providers we work with thrive on the exchange of ideas with international counterparts. The government's plans to curb immigration—and therefore international mobility for students and workers—run the risk of undermining the critical pathways created through international education and skills partnerships.

On the government’s proposed changes, our Chief Executive, Graham Hasting-Evans, said:

“Whichever way you look at it, it is clear that the provisions in the white paper will mean routes that are currently viable to workers and learners may soon close or become harder to access. This change will drive with it a need for robust, regulated skills qualifications that international applicants can rely on.

As a global skills charity, NOCN Group remains committed to providing quality courses to learners in the UK and internationally who wish to develop both personally and professionally. International mobility is about more than crossing borders. It means accessing talent to feed economic growth, cultural understanding, and learning.”

Raising the bar on English skill levels

In the English-speaking arena, the government’s proposed changes will impact not only workers wishing to come to the UK but also all of their adult dependants, who will now be required to demonstrate basic English skills.

Skilled workers will now need an English level of B2 under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), up from the previously required B1. This jump could equate to up to 200 extra hours of study. For adult dependants of workers and students, a basic level of A1 will now be required. Achieving this initial level could mean up to 150 hours of study.

Additional requirements will apply to those wishing to stay in the UK long-term: A2 for visa extensions and B2 for anyone seeking permanent settlement.

All of these workers and their families will need trusted, flexible, and affordable English qualifications to move to—and remain in—the UK.

NOCN Group ESOL qualifications are internationally recognised and respected, offering learners a trusted mark of quality. We operate in over ten countries, delivering English skills either directly or through our trusted partners in India, Greece, and elsewhere.

We provide all six CEFR levels—A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, and C2—along with comprehensive assessments in speaking, listening, reading, and writing. We are proud to offer these as pathways to work and further study.

It is equally vital that high-quality ESOL courses remain available to support those already living and working in the UK. These programmes help people improve their language skills, integrate into their communities, and contribute economically.

Our focus will continue to be on addressing skills gaps, enhancing employability, and promoting inclusion.

Find out more about our ESOL courses here