London: Britain’s Home Office was left red-faced on 22 January after unveiling new English tests for migrants — but misspelling the word ‘language’ in its announcement.

Prime Minister David Cameron on Monday launched a £20 million (S$41 million) language fund to help women, particularly Muslims, who arrive in Britain after getting married but struggle to speak English.

He also said women from non-EU countries who fail to pass an English language test after two and a half years in the country could face deportation, drawing criticism from Muslim groups and opposition parties.

A Home Office press release giving details of the move Thursday spoke of a ‘new English langauge test’ and had to be corrected.

Asked if Cameron was disappointed by the mistake, his official spokeswoman told reporters: ‘All of us are open to mistakes at times.

‘The prime minister is pretty confident that his team speak English competently.’

The error drew ridicule on Twitter — broadcaster Anita Anand wrote it was ‘beyond parody’, while user @DaveGoddard 1971 joked: ‘Makes you proud to be British’.