Public Outcry: Nearly 70% Oppose Labour’s Plan to Replace In-Person English Tests with Duolingo-Style Online Assessments

By Matt • Breaking Brexit News • 30 May 2026

A new YouGov poll reveals that nearly seven in ten Britons oppose the Labour government’s controversial plan to replace secure, invigilated English language tests for migrants with online assessments, sparking fears of widespread cheating and weakened border controls.

Labour’s £816 Million Online Test Gamble

The Labour government’s Home Office has advertised an £816 million contract to overhaul English language testing for migrants. This new system would replace the current in-person, invigilated exams with online assessments, a move critics warn is a “fraudsters’ charter” that will compromise Britain’s border security, as reported by the Daily Mail.

The public’s reaction is clear: a YouGov survey of over 2,000 adults found that 68 per cent oppose the shift to online tests, with only 22 per cent supporting it. Crucially, 46 per cent expressed “strong opposition,” including a significant 35 per cent of those who voted Labour in the last general election.

Shady Dealings with Duolingo?

Adding to the controversy, it has emerged that the American company Duolingo, widely considered the frontrunner for the new contract, held private meetings with Business Minister Lord Stockwood. An official document, obtained under freedom of information laws, shows Lord Stockwood met with Duolingo’s co-founder and chief executive Luis von Ahn and its UK director Michael Lynas.

The civil service note from the September meeting revealed the minister intended to “flag the discussion to No 10” just weeks before the Home Office tender terms were made public in November. This contradicts previous government denials of discussions with Duolingo regarding the testing contract, as the Daily Mail highlighted.

• Home Office seeks to replace secure, invigilated English language tests with online versions.
• YouGov poll shows 68% of Britons oppose the move, including 35% of Labour voters.
• Critics label the new online tests a “fraudsters’ charter” due to cheating vulnerability.
• Duolingo, a frontrunner for the £816 million contract, held private meetings with Business Minister Lord Stockwood.
• The government previously denied discussions with Duolingo about the contract.
• A consortium of British firms withdrew from bidding, citing concerns over “weaker security.”

What This Means for Britain

This policy shift directly impacts Britain’s ability to control who enters the country and ensures they can integrate. Weakening English language requirements risks undermining the very fabric of our society and the safety of our communities.

The £816 million contract for online testing is a significant expenditure of taxpayer money. If the new system proves vulnerable to fraud, it represents a colossal waste of funds that could be better spent on vital public services.

The revelation of private meetings between a government minister and Duolingo, followed by denials, raises serious questions about transparency and fair competition. It suggests that the system might be rigged against British firms and in favour of international corporations.

For ordinary British people, this means a potential increase in unchecked immigration and a further erosion of trust in the political establishment. It proves that the Labour government is not listening to the common sense of the public on border control.

Share if you believe secure borders and fair play are non-negotiable for Britain.

This article is a factual summary of reporting by The Daily Mail. Full original story available on their website. All quotes directly attributed.