London, Feb 21 : Indian brides who want to marry Brit blokes and then settle in the UK will now have to take an English language test, announced Gordon Brown, the Prime Minister of United Kingdom.

Brown said that the test would help to prevent foreign brides from being exploited, as they will be fluent in the language.

"We will introduce a new English language requirement for those applying for a marriage visa and planning to settle in the UK - both as part of our determination that everyone who comes here to live should be able to speak English and to make sure that they cannot be exploited," the Telegraph quoted him, as saying.

The English language test will apply to tens of thousands of spouses.

The Brit ministers have for some time been concerned that some of those arriving from India have no knowledge of English, are vulnerable to exploitation and cannot get access to the job market.

Brown's announcement came after proposals to reform citizenship rules under which migrants who want a British passport or to settle permanently in the country will have to undergo a probationary period of up to three years.

Foreigners will be expected to leave the country if they fail to take citizenship or apply to settle permanently, as the Government seeks to end the situation where migrants "languish in limbo" having been allowed to stay.

ANI