Source · Select Committees · Education Committee
Recommendation 23
23
Paragraph: 66
The Department’s lifelong learning strategy must include an ESOL element.
Conclusion
The Department’s lifelong learning strategy must include an ESOL element. The Department should take a lead role for adult ESOL strategy to ensure a more joined up approach to cross-Department ESOL funding and objectives. The Department must undertake analysis to assess current and longer-term demand for adult ESOL provision. Additional funding should then be allocated to areas with highest demand for ESOL provision.
Paragraph Reference:
66
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
64. This government remains committed to the manifesto commitment to boost English language teaching to empower existing migrants and help promote integration into society, as we know 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. The government already makes substantial funding available for English language through the AEB, community- based provision, and specific support for some refugees, and in 2019/20, the Department for Education supported 116,100 adult learners to improve their levels of English through fully or part-funded ESOL. We are keen to ensure our funding offers the best value for money for those learning English and the taxpayer. We will provide an update on ESOL in due course. 65. Adults in England are eligible for fully funded ESOL provision through the AEB if they are unemployed, looking for work and in receipt of certain benefits, or if they are employed and in receipt of a low wage. All other AEB-eligible learners are co-funded, with the Government contributing approximately 50% of the course cost. 66. Where the AEB is devolved, the MCAs/GLA are responsible for the provision of adult education and allocation of the AEB in their local areas, and to plan, with local partners, which ESOL courses they deliver to meet local needs. ESFA is responsible for the remaining AEB in non-devolved areas and colleges and training providers can determine how they use their AEB to meet the needs of their communities.