Eastbourne Language Schools (Stephen Lloyd MP)

English Language Schools

UPDATE:

The Home Office announced on the 17th December 2010 that there will be a change to the immigration rules that were crippling English language schools in Eastbourne and throughout the country. Currently institutions are required to ensure their students can speak English to the equivalent of AS level standard before they can be granted a visa to come and study here for longer than 6 months. The Government say this is a key factor of a student's ability to study in the UK, and to follow a course in English.

Stephen Lloyd MP has worked hard lobbying the Government to make them realise that this arrangement does not meet the unique requirements of the English language sector, so vital to Eastbourne's economy. He has questioned the Prime Minister on this twice in Parliament, secured a meeting with the Home Secretary, lead a delegation of other MPs and Eastbourne Principals to the Home Office to meet with the Immigration Minister, and also hosted the Chief Executive of the UK Border Agency in Eastbourne, so she was able to see for herself the damaging effects of the language requirement."

Stephen said: " It has been a great deal of work getting the Government to see the extent of the effect the regulations were having on towns like Eastbourne, but I am extremely glad common sense has eventually prevailed. Eastbourne's economy is highly dependent on the foreign students who come to our town every year to learn English in beautiful surroundings, from the jobs in the schools themselves, to the money they spend in local shops everyday and not forgetting the many hundreds of Eastbourne families who act as hosts to students while they are here, providing them with a vital income.

Stephen and Principals of Eastbourne Language Schools meeting the Immigration Minister at the Home Office

Chris Savins, General Manager & Principal of Twin English Centre, Eastbourne said: "We all recognize and are extremely grateful for the tireless efforts Stephen has been making and continues to make on behalf not only of the Eastbourne language schools but also the industry as whole. It is really satisfying to see that our representations to the Minister, organised and driven by Stephen, have not only been listened to but acted upon"

Graham White, Principal Eastbourne School of English, said "I was delighted to hear of the announcement. This is excellent news and at the same time the Government has clearly decided to increase the pressure on computer and business colleges by raising the English language requirement - quite rightly, in my view. I also want to thank Stephen for all you he has done to keep this issue well up the agenda. His role has been crucial and is much appreciated."

See the development of the campaign:

Eastbourne Herald editorial: 'Stephen Lloyd has certainly put in the leg-work'

Speaking in the House to secure a meeting with the Home Secretary

First Question to the Prime Minister

Second Question to the Prime Minister

BBC Sussex news piece

The EDM which launched the campaign