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.

MPs, a Lord, English UK members and stakeholders joined us for a very positive reception in the House of Commons on Thursday 11 May 2023 for the launch of our new position paper: 'Help us become the world's premier ELT destination again'.

The Terrace Pavilion overlooking the Thames was packed with well over 100 people, including many of our members. MPs who attended included Stephen Hammond, Selaine Saxby, Sir Peter Bottomley, Sally-Anne Hart, Diane Johnson, Munira Wilson, Kerry McCarthy and Kevin Hollinrake. 

The English UK Parliamentary Reception will take place in the Terrace Pavilion of the House of Commons on Thursday 11 May from 13:30 - 15:30, hosted by Stephen Hammond, MP for Wimbledon.

This is a valuable opportunity for English UK members to meet and network with MPs, Lords and other stakeholders to raise the profile of UK ELT and our need for policy support from government. We'll be launching our new position paper at the event.

Student weeks this summer reached 55% of the business done in the equivalent quarter of 2019.

Newly-released English UK QUIC (Quarterly Intelligence Cohort) data for Q3 shows increases in student weeks for both junior and adult markets, with overall figures up by well over 200% compared to 2021.