Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what minimum English language proficiency requirements apply to (a) Border Force officers and (b) immigration enforcement staff; and whether her Department has conducted any audits or assessments in the last five years of the ability of non-native English-speaking staff in those roles to communicate effectively in English with members of the public.

Border Force roles are classified as reserved posts and are therefore open only to UK nationals. Individuals who have settled status in the UK are required to meet English language requirements as part of the UK nationality process. This requirement is assessed by an approved provider at an authorised test centre. As a result, there is no separate English language requirement for Border Force roles, as this criterion will already have been met through the UK nationality process.

While no specific audit has been undertaken, communication proficiency is assessed through a robust recruitment and training process and ongoing performance management processes.

With regard to reading and writing proficiency, operational roles require GCSEs in English and Mathematics. While non-operational roles do not necessarily include GCSE requirements, they typically require specific skills, experience, or professional expertise that would exceed GCSE-level standards.