But the NUT said candidates who needed several resits to pass the tests were dyslexic, had English as an additional language, or were less familiar with the on-line testing system.

BBC: Literacy and numeracy tests toughened for new teachers

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said new tests would be brought in to ensure that healthcare workers from other EU countries can speak English to a satisfactory level, an issue which is complicated by rules which prevent systemic language testing.

BBC: The Record: Europe