asked Her Majesty’s Government:
What steps they are taking to increase the number of English classes for non-English-speaking migrant workers.
My Lords, since 2001, we have tripled funding for English language classes for adults, and we continue to increase qualified teacher numbers. From 2007, new international English language qualifications will enhance choice for those in employment. We intend to continue to support all learners with public funding, currently at 62.5 per cent of the cost of the courses, but we expect those who can afford it and who benefit from language provision to contribute to its cost.
My Lords, I thank the Minister for that encouraging reply. However, the Government have recently announced that, from next year, those not on benefits are to be charged for English for Speakers of Other Languages—ESOL—classes. Where is the evidence that that will not deter the very lowest-paid migrant workers from seeking basic English classes? What assessment have the Government made of the health and safety implications of the decision?
My Lords, I should stress that the changes to which the noble Baroness refers will take place alongside the introduction of a range of new ESOL international qualifications, which will be shorter, more job-focused and practical—that will significantly reduce the cost of the qualifications. The average cost of the existing English for Speakers of Other Languages qualification is only £135, in any event. The charge will be up to 35 per cent of the full cost, so we do not believe that the charges will be in any way prohibitive.
My Lords, I wonder whether my noble friend—
My Lords, given that the Government have bravely and rightly said—
My Lords, what financial assistance is given to educational institutions that provide outreach work to those who do not speak English, particularly women?
My Lords, large public resources are devoted to the causes set out by my noble friend. Last year, public funding for ESOL classes ran at £279 million, which is a threefold increase in funding for ESOL provision since 2001. Substantial resources are made available to colleges to meet the priorities to which the noble Baroness referred, among others.
My Lords, not only is a shared language an important vehicle for social cohesion, but a grasp of English is essential for social mobility. Have there been any discussions with the principal employers of migrant labour about the best ways of implementing language skills?
My Lords, there have been such discussions, although I am not sure about their precise nature at a national level. I will be happy to come back to the noble Baroness and let her know.
My Lords, can the Minister allay the anxieties of English UK both about the acute shortage of EFL/ESOL teachers and about the not unrelated fact that, unlike mainstream teachers, these people pay for their courses, even those that are fully accredited to the training qualifications agency?
My Lords, the noble Lord is referring to the training of teachers. The number of trained teachers continues to rise, as do the resources available to colleges. As I said, the number of courses delivered has risen substantially in recent years. We believe that we are progressively meeting the need, but I am sure that there is a continuing demand for more places, too.
My Lords, does the Minister—
My Lords, technically speaking it is the Liberal Democrats’ turn.
My Lords, will the Minister consider the plight of the non-English-speaking children of migrant workers, who find themselves in school unable to communicate with their classmates and unable to benefit properly from their education, as well as the plight of the classmates, who would like to connect with them but find that they cannot do so? Do schools have enough resources for the total immersion in English of these children, particularly given that some schools have an extraordinarily large number of children with these difficulties to face?
My Lords, local authorities have discretion to provide additional funding for schools in precisely the circumstances to which the noble Baroness referred. Overall school budgets have risen substantially in recent years, and meeting the needs of pupils who do not have English as their first language or who are falling behind in literacy skills should be a key priority for all schools to meet.
My Lords, given that the Government have bravely and rightly said that immigration is good for the economy, will it not be a good investment of public funds to ensure that these new members of the labour force are competent in English? Since, unhappily, too many new immigrants are poorly paid by their employers—not uncommonly below the national minimum wage—will it not be right for the Government to help them to acquire language skills so that they can find their way out of poverty and into integration?
My Lords, I entirely agree with my noble friend, which is why, since 2001, funding for English for Speakers of Other Languages has tripled, supporting more than 1.9 million learners to improve their English language skills. As I say, funding last year ran at £279 million, so the Government have made a substantial additional investment for precisely the reasons that my noble friend set out.