THE Home Office has come under fire after refusing to recognise Scottish-based English language tests for those seeking citizenship in the UK.
Those applying for citizenship have previously been able to prove their knowledge of English by passing a range of qualifications run by different providers, including the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA).
However, the new Home Office measures introduced to tighten up standards mean only qualifications operated by two institutions - IELTS SELT Consortium and Trinity College London - will be recognised from November this year.
The decision has already been questioned by the Scottish Government, which has written to the Home Office on the matter.
The Bridges Programmes, a Glasgow-based specialist charity which works with refugees and asylum seekers, also attacked the move.
A statement from the organisation said: "It has taken organisations like our own and others many years to help employers understand the SQA qualifications so that being a non-native English speaker is no longer an automatic barrier to integration in the workplace.
"Anything which might reduce the uptake of SQA qualifications and the resultant confusion amongst employers we believe will seriously hamper future integration into the workplace.
"It is completely unacceptable that a reserved Westminster department can have the power to overrule and undervalue a devolved matter such as education and we urge the Scottish Government to seek immediate clarification from the Home Office and to open negotiations with them to ensure that Scottish national qualifications are re-instated as suitable evidence of citizenship."
A Scottish Government spokesman said the move was being taken up by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on behalf of the SQA.
He said: "We are concerned this move by the Home Office will have a negative impact on how provision and qualifications are promoted and taken in Scotland and the First Minister has written to the Immigration Minister to outline these concerns.
"We know the SQA has stringent processes in place with Scottish centres to ensure the system works correctly and we are seeking urgent clarification on the impact these changes will have in Scotland."
Gill Stewart, director of qualifications development for the SQA added: "We have received information from the UK Home Office indicating that after November 2015, applicants for settlement or naturalisation will no longer be able to use SQA qualifications as evidence of their English language skills.
"We immediately raised this matter with the Scottish Government and made representations to the Home Office. Given the stated timeframe we have informed our centres of this proposed change."
A spokesman for UK Visas and Immigration said the Home Office wanted to simplify and tighten up the system across the UK.
He said: "Historically, we have accepted a wider range of English language qualifications for settlement and naturalisation.
"However, it is important that the immigration system has the same security features across the board in order to limit abuse and that those seeking permanent residence meet the same standards as temporary migrants.
"From November applicants for settlement or naturalisation will also be required to demonstrate their English language skills by taking a test at a test centre on the new list. Other English language qualifications will no longer be accepted for this purpose."
The Bridges Programmes is a charitable agency working with asylum seekers, migrants and refugees, and anyone else for whom English is a second language, to promote social and economic integration through work.
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