In tandem with other Tourism Alliance members, English UK continues to lobby the government for a solution to the problems created by the end of ID Card travel and the acceptance of the List of Travellers scheme.

A vital part of our approach is to provide evidence to the government of the barriers created by these policies, particularly for school groups travelling to the UK from EU countries.

Following the À bon entendeur television programme aired on RTS (Radio Télévision Suisse), the British Council and English UK would like to reassure Swiss partners about the safeguards in place when booking language courses with British Council accredited English language teaching centres.

The latest figures on the UK's ELT source markets from QUIC show that the overall figures are now close to pre-pandemic levels, with Q1 2023 reaching 92% of Q1 2019 student week volumes.

We have taken first steps to address the issue of high visa refusal rates in Turkey reported by English UK members and educational tour operators.

Our membership director Huan Japes visited Istanbul on 16 – 18 May to gain insight into the issue, supported by members of the English UK board of trustees. There were discussions and information-sharing sessions with British consulate staff and representatives from Turkish agent associations and British Council Turkey.

Our annual Members' Conference and AGM took place in London and online on Friday 12 May. 

Despite the train strike, members came from as far away as Canada, Cardiff, Devon and York. Over 70 joined in person with up to 47 at any one time online.