Thank you for writing to me about the UK English Language Teaching (ELT) industry, and the challenges facing the sector.
The Coronavirus pandemic has had a significant impact on many sectors across Wales, and I recognise the difficulties that UK ELT has faced as a result of the public health measures which have been necessary to protect people’s lives.
During the pandemic, the UK Conservative Government has provided Wales with an unprecedented £8.6 billion package of financial support. This has enabled the Welsh Labour Government to support businesses in Wales and, whilst I broadly welcome the additional support announced by the government for those businesses impacted by the recent delay in the easing of restrictions, it is important that businesses urgently receive more detail about the eligibility criteria attached to the support. The UK Government has also stepped in to protect peoples’ livelihoods through initiatives such as the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS). In February 2021, it was announced that the CJRS will be extended until 30 September 2021 to help businesses through this challenging period.
Furthermore, there should be a consistent approach to the easing of restrictions across the UK, and particularly on rules for international travel, to help provide certainty to the ELT sector. Therefore I welcome that non-essential travel into Wales is now allowed, although I am disappointed that the Welsh Labour Government lagged behind both the UK and Scottish Governments in easing travel restrictions in light of current success of the great British and Welsh vaccine roll-out. I also note that people in Wales – similar to those in England – are now able to access a digital electronic vaccination status certificates if required, and can be accessed using the following link: Get the NHS COVID Pass to show your vaccination status for travel | GOV.WALES. As such, I would encourage the Welsh and UK Governments, as well as the European Union, to work together to ensure that there are reciprocal agreements in place to accept each other’s certificates to help facilitate international travel.
Whilst I appreciate your concerns about the impact of Brexit on the freedom of movement of people, the UK Government has previously announced that international students will be subject to a streamlined immigration process as part of the new points-based system. Study of up to six months in the UK is now permitted under the standard visit route through which most visitors and tourists will come to the UK. The short-term English language study route of up to 11 months also remains in place, allowing English language students to come to the UK without sponsorship. These changes will ensure that the UK remains an attractive place for overseas students to come to study, helping the sector to recover from the impacts of the pandemic.
Please be assured that I will raise your concerns with my colleague Laura Anne Jones MS, the Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Education.
Thank you once again for taking the time to write to me.
