Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what minimum English language proficiency requirements apply to frontline rail staff responsible for passenger information and safety critical communications.

The Immigration Act 2016 places a statutory duty on public sector employers to ensure that public facing workers can speak fluent English. This requirement applies to frontline rail staff responsible for providing passenger information including guards, dispatchers, and customer service staff.

In addition, all rail workers are bound by the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, the Sentinel Scheme, and Rail Safety and Standards Board standards, which require that staff have sufficient English language competence for safety‑critical communication.