Mandelson's Lobbying Firm Worked for Duolingo on Home Office English Test Bid
The disgraced peer Peter Mandelson's now-defunct lobbying company, Global Counsel, was hired by the American online education giant Duolingo in 2024 to lobby the UK Government. This effort was part of Duolingo's bid to secure the Home Office's controversial new contract for English language tests for migrants.
Contract Changes and Security Concerns
The Home Office has since altered the terms of an £816 million government contract, which is currently out to tender, to provide English language tests for foreign nationals applying for UK visas. Last year, it announced that requirements would be changed to allow online testing, eliminating the current need for invigilated in-person exams.
This shift has prompted significant fears that the new tests could be vulnerable to cheating, potentially weakening Britain's border controls. Critics have dubbed the move a 'fraudsters' charter'. Foreign applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English at an A-level equivalent to secure a work visa, making test integrity crucial.
Industry Backlash and Consortium Withdrawal
A consortium of leading British firms, including the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), pulled out of bidding for the new contract last month. They warned that the changes 'expose the UK's immigration system to weaker security'. IELTS highlighted risks such as impersonators, hidden devices, earpieces, and AI chatbots that could facilitate cheating in online environments.
Duolingo, which offers online courses in English and over 40 other languages, is now considered a frontrunner to secure the contract. The role of Mandelson and Global Counsel in persuading ministers to allow online testing remains unclear, but their involvement has raised eyebrows.
Lobbying Activities and Government Engagement
Official lobbying registers reveal that Duolingo appointed Global Counsel, co-founded by Mandelson, between July and September 2024. In July 2024, Mandelson appeared at a London event sponsored by Duolingo, discussing the 'future of universities under Labour' alongside former Labour education secretary Lord Blunkett and crossbench peer Baroness Cavendish.
Government records show that business minister Lord Stockwood met Duolingo bosses in 2025 to discuss 'UK commercial opportunities'. Additionally, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson appeared alongside Duolingo's UK boss Michael Lynas at a Labour Party conference event in autumn 2024, organised by the Tony Blair Institute.
In February 2025, Phillipson appeared in a video promoting Duolingo alongside the company's green owl mascot, which was posted on the Department for Education's official social media feed. This has further fueled concerns about undue influence.
Political Reactions and Security Warnings
Conservative MP Blake Stephenson, who sits on the Commons' Public Accounts Committee, has voiced strong criticism, stating, 'This is a total mess.' He raised questions about the government's pursuit of online testing and the role played by Mandelson's firm. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp also expressed grave concerns, calling the move a 'fraudsters' charter' that could lead to rampant cheating and compromise border security.
Home Office minister Mike Tapp recently acknowledged in a written ministerial answer that moving to online tests could carry risks, noting that 'technological developments can present new challenges to test security in remote environments.' He added that bidders would need to demonstrate how they address these risks.
Industry Insider Perspectives
An insider from the language test sector commented, 'Duolingo spared no expense in lobbying, using Peter Mandelson's company to influence ministers and civil servants. Every serious expert on English testing is baffled why the Home Office would remove in-person security checks.' They warned that criminal gangs could exploit the system, allowing cheaters to take tests from any location.
The Home Office has refused to disclose whether any meetings occurred between ministers, officials, and lobbyists on behalf of Duolingo, or what correspondence took place. A Home Office spokesman stated that all contracts are awarded through a 'fair, competitive and transparent process,' denying any improper influence.
A Duolingo spokesman said, 'Duolingo, like many other companies, worked with Global Counsel. Lord Mandelson played no part in that work. We subsequently terminated our agreement with Global Counsel. Any engagement that Duolingo has had with government has been entirely proper and transparent.' Lord Mandelson was approached for comment but did not respond.
