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Written question asked by Chi Onwurah (Labour) on Monday, 28 March 2022, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 30 March 2022. It was answered by Michelle Donelan (Conservative) on Monday, 4 April 2022 on behalf of the Department for Education.

English Language: Education

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what additional funding will be provided to local authorities or colleges to help ensure that sufficient English language classes are available locally for people who arrived in the UK from Afghanistan in 2021.

Answer

We recognise that language skills are crucial to help people integrate into life in England, as well as to break down barriers to work and career progression. That is why we want to support all adults in England to secure the English language skills they need.

The department funds English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) provision for eligible adults aged 19 and over through the Adult Education Budget (AEB).

All Afghan adults who are being resettled through the Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy (ARAP) and the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS), will be immediately eligible for Further Education 19+ funding (including ESOL), by virtue of having ‘indefinite leave to remain’ status, as per the current AEB funding rules.

In addition, the Home Office provides £850 to local authorities for each adult resettled to the UK under ARAP or ACRS so they can access additional English language tuition in their first year.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
148183
Session
2021-22
Subjects
Finance Education Migrants English language Afghanistan
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk