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Migrants language lessons rethink Migrants language lessons rethink
(about 5 hours later)
The government is to restore free English classes for more migrants following an outcry over recent cuts. The government is to prioritise free English classes in England on migrants who have long-term needs.
But the tuition will be targeted at migrants who are poor or socially excluded, rather than all applicants. The tuition will be free for those on benefits, and aimed at long-standing residents whose English is still poor rather than those who may not stay.
Councils will be told to decide which groups of people in their area should get priority and employers of working migrants will be asked to fund lessons.Councils will be told to decide which groups of people in their area should get priority and employers of working migrants will be asked to fund lessons.
Before September, all migrants could get a free place on an English course, but this was said to be unsustainable. Before September all could get a free course. This was deemed unsustainable.
The government says the priority now must be long-term residents with poor English, not richer economic migrants.
Other priority groups identified by the government include mothers from unemployed families and those "raising particular issues for community cohesion".Other priority groups identified by the government include mothers from unemployed families and those "raising particular issues for community cohesion".
IntegrationIntegration
In recent years, colleges in many areas have been inundated with applicants for English language courses.In recent years, colleges in many areas have been inundated with applicants for English language courses.
Demand and spending on the English for Speakers of Other Languages courses (Esol) trebled between 2001 and 2005, officials say. Demand and spending on the English for Speakers of Other Languages (Esol) courses trebled between 2001 and 2005, officials say.
Ministers complained the then system was "unsustainable" and announced they were stopping free Esol lessons for all except migrants on income-related benefits, the very low paid and asylum seekers under 19.Ministers complained the then system was "unsustainable" and announced they were stopping free Esol lessons for all except migrants on income-related benefits, the very low paid and asylum seekers under 19.
People who do not speak English now have to pay a contribution to the course fees - 37.5%, rising to 50% in 2010. A typical Esol course costs around £900.People who do not speak English now have to pay a contribution to the course fees - 37.5%, rising to 50% in 2010. A typical Esol course costs around £900.
The priority is to reach long-term residents for whom poor English is a real barrier to integration in work or in the community John Denham, Skills Secretary Why courses are seen as keyThe priority is to reach long-term residents for whom poor English is a real barrier to integration in work or in the community John Denham, Skills Secretary Why courses are seen as key
Skills Secretary John Denham said English language skills were vital to promoting community cohesion.Skills Secretary John Denham said English language skills were vital to promoting community cohesion.
"Recent reforms are already ensuring that those who can afford to pay for English classes do so and are encouraging employers to take more responsibility for funding training for economic migrants in their workforces," he said."Recent reforms are already ensuring that those who can afford to pay for English classes do so and are encouraging employers to take more responsibility for funding training for economic migrants in their workforces," he said.
"Now we must go further and ensure that the priority is to reach long-term residents for whom poor English is a real barrier to integration in work or in the community.""Now we must go further and ensure that the priority is to reach long-term residents for whom poor English is a real barrier to integration in work or in the community."
Under proposals now being put out for consultation, the current funding structure would be changed to give local authorities a say in who receives free English language lessons.Under proposals now being put out for consultation, the current funding structure would be changed to give local authorities a say in who receives free English language lessons.
At the moment, Esol courses are funded by the Learning and Skills Council, (LSC) which passes money to colleges running the courses.At the moment, Esol courses are funded by the Learning and Skills Council, (LSC) which passes money to colleges running the courses.
The LSC would continue to fund the courses but would liaise with local councils to decide which groups to prioritise.The LSC would continue to fund the courses but would liaise with local councils to decide which groups to prioritise.
Decisions would be based on local needs and a new set of national priorities for Esol, which include:Decisions would be based on local needs and a new set of national priorities for Esol, which include:
  • legal residents expected to stay in the country long-term
  • excluded women, particularly those with children under 16
  • parents or carers in families with multiple problems
  • those identified as raising particular issues for community cohesion
  • people with low levels of literacy in their own language
  • those with no secondary education
  • refugees
  • asylum seekers still in the country beyond six months awaiting a decision on their status or who cannot return home
  • legal residents expected to stay in the country long-term
  • excluded women, particularly those with children under 16
  • parents or carers in families with multiple problems
  • those identified as raising particular issues for community cohesion
  • people with low levels of literacy in their own language
  • those with no secondary education
  • refugees
  • asylum seekers still in the country beyond six months awaiting a decision on their status or who cannot return home
    • Communities Secretary Hazel Blears said not speaking the language was widely seen as the biggest barrier to integration.Communities Secretary Hazel Blears said not speaking the language was widely seen as the biggest barrier to integration.
    "Speaking English is the greatest asset you can possess for getting involved in your community, and getting on and doing well for yourself and your family," she said."Speaking English is the greatest asset you can possess for getting involved in your community, and getting on and doing well for yourself and your family," she said.
    Last month she advised councils to "think twice" about spending money on translation, suggesting integration might be better achieved through English classes.Last month she advised councils to "think twice" about spending money on translation, suggesting integration might be better achieved through English classes.