London, 17 December 2011

Jack Beatson , a Birmingham, central England High Court judge on Friday dismissed a legal challenge to a new immigration rule that requires people to be able to speak English before moving to Britain to live with their partner or spouse. Immigration minister Damian Green said he was “very pleased” at the ruling.

Judge Jack Beatson said the language test, introduced in November last year as part of the coalition government’s efforts to slash immigration, did not interfere with the human rights of three couples who brought the challenge.

“We believe it is entirely reasonable that someone intending to live in the UK should understand English, so that they can integrate and participate fully in our society. We are very pleased that the courts agree with us,” he said.

The challenge was led by Briton Rashida Chapti, 54, and her Indian husband Vali Chapti, 57, who have been married for 37 years and have six children but currently live apart

Prime Minister David Cameron promised when he took office in May 2010 to reduce net immigration to Britain from hundreds of thousands a year to tens of thousands by the next election in 2015.