Our six policy recommendations to help UK ELT thrive
English UK position paper | published May 2025
In these uncertain times, the UK needs strong export industries and ways of forging positive links with the wider world. English language teaching (ELT) provides both.
Growing the UK economy is the government's number one priority, and ELT can help. To fully play our part, we need the government to work with our industry and other stakeholders. We need a better operating environment, more agile immigration and more extensive promotional support.
We want the UK to become the world's biggest English language learning destination once more. The six simple, supportive government policies we are asking for will enable us to do that.
Read about our six policy recommendations below, and download our position paper to understand the full context and value of the UK's ELT sector.
To support our aims, please share this paper with your MP and encourage them to read it. Together, we can drive meaningful change.
Six simple policy recommendations to drive growth
Our policy recommendations cost little to implement, help UK English language teaching thrive and reap benefits including increased exports, jobs, gross added value and closer international relationships.
1. Expand career-enhancing travel opportunities for young people via Youth Mobility Schemes
We want an EU/EEA/Switzerland Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS). Expanding the range and scope of YMS would benefit British youth, inbound tourism and UK exports.
2. Extend ID card travel for EU school groups
We want ID card travel extended to school group visits from other EU countries including Spain, Germany and Italy.
3. Recognise UK ELT's accreditation scheme for student visas
We want the government to recognise Accreditation UK for Student Visas to ensure our learners have the best possible experience and language centres avoid unnecessary cost.
4. Better support the growth of UK ELT
We want to harness the government's reach, contacts and resources to help UK ELT support existing markets and develop new ones.
5. Increase rent-a-room tax relief to preserve UK ELT's unique offer
We want rent-a-room tax relief to be increased to £10k from £7.5k. Increasing the rate of rent-a-room tax relief for the first time since 2016 would encourage more people to host ELT students.
6. Create exchange programmes for young professionals
We want the government to negotiate bilateral and multilateral exchange programmes as part of trade negotiations with global partners.
