U.S. firm behind SATs fiasco gets crucial new contract running English tests for immigrants

The U.S. firm behind the SATs fiasco runs English language tests crucial to the Government’s new points-based immigration system.

Foreigners wanting to settle will be able to use certificates from the discredited Educational Testing Services, which has
been criticised for inaccurate marking, as proof they can speak the language.

It means that the same company being slated for inaccurate marking, lost papers and late results which have left at least 175,000 children still waiting for their scores will help to decide who enters Britain under the Government's planned points-based system.

In one case last year, South Koreans hoping to study in America were forced to fly to Thailand to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language after the ETS system went into meltdown due to huge demand.

Technical glitches two years ago left thousands of European students unable to sit tests.

David Cameron last night pointed to an ‘international record of failure’ at ETS.

Mr Cameron also said ETS should be penalised for the Sats fiasco by having payments reduced. 'Those responsible cannot simply walk away with large amounts of public money they simply have not earned,' he said.

Mr Cameron accused Schools Secretary Ed Balls of signing away the right to claw back some of the costs by agreeing to over-generous contracts.

According to the Tories, who announced today that they will launch a policy commission on school exams, ETS will run the Test of English as a Foreign Language and a Test of English for International Communication.

They said the contract involved 'all the hallmarks of their previous debacles' such as computerised systems, rushed deployment, and online assessments.

A Home Office spokesman confirmed that ETS, which has also encountered problems in China, America and Africa, was an approved examiner for the English tests.

But he stressed that candidates would pay their own costs so no money would come from the taxpayer.

Shadow Home Secretary Dominic Grieve said: ‘Language tests were lauded as key to the Government’s immigration policy but they have enlisted a company with a shambolic record.’

The Home Office announced in March that the English tests would be used to decide who comes into Britain and ETS launched them just two months later.

Shadow Home Secretary, Dominic Grieve, said: "This is yet more evidence of serial failure and incompetence across Government. Language tests for citizens were lauded by the Government but they have entrusted their administration to a company with a proven shambolic record."

Mr Balls has called the Sats situation 'unacceptable', but claimed he is powerless to sack ETS. In a letter to MPs he said: 'The contract with ETS Europe was drawn up by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, at arms length from ministers. Any discussions about the contract are legally a contractual matter for the QCA and ETS Europe.'

Officials added that ministerial intervention into the matter would be "totally inappropriate". The Government fears that the taxpayer could be landed with a huge bill if Mr Balls decides to terminate the £156 million contract with ETS Europe.

BOSS'S £1 MILLION CHELSEA FLAT AND SIX FLIGHTS A YEAR TO AUSTRALIA

The use of a flat in this Chelsea street is part of exams chief Ken Boston's £328,000-a-year pay package

The man at the centre of the Sats marking fiasco has the use of a £1 million Chelsea flat as part of his pay and perks package, it was revealed today.

Ken Boston, 65, came under increasing pressure to justify his £328,000-a-year deal as it emerged that half a million children could be forced to re-sit key tests.

Dr Boston is paid more than the Governor of the Bank of England in salary, which jumped 15 per cent on last year, and perks which include the flat and six businessclass flights a year back to his home country of Australia.

The flights, which typically cost between £3,700 and £7,700, can be claimed by either Dr Boston, his wife Yvonne or daughter Nathalie.

Mr Boston came to England six years ago amid another exam marking crisis. He first lived in Knightsbridge before moving to Cathcart Road, Chelsea, and now has actor Hugh Grant as a neighbour.

Government sources have questioned whether he can survive the furore. He has been ordered to send a copy of his contract to the Commons schools select committee which is investigating the crisis.