Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Smith of Malvern on 3 March (HL14602), what assessment they have made of the adequacy of the funding for English for speakers of other language programmes to meet demand.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

As set out in the previous written answer, the Adult Skills Fund is the primary funding stream that supports ESOL for those aged 19+. Currently, approximately 68% of the ASF is devolved to 12 Strategic Authorities (SAs) and the Greater London Authority (GLA). Therefore in these areas, it is for the authority to make an assessment of whether ESOL funding is adequate to meet need, though government recognises that this has to be weighed against other priorities.

Government announced in its Social Cohesion Action Plan the intent to Review English language provision to identify best practice, and explore how innovation, including digital delivery, can increase the numbers able to speak English, with conclusions published in Autumn 2026.

As well as public funding for ESOL, individuals can pay for English language provision.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many care leavers did not have their immigration status resolved before reaching the age of 18 in each of the last five years.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

Information on the immigration status of care leavers is not held centrally by the department.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the report by the Independent Commission of Inquiry into the 2022 Leicester violence, Better Together: Understanding the 2022 Violence in Leicester, published on 23 February.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The report referred to is an independent one undertaken by the School of Oriental and African Studies. The government will not be commenting on the contents of this report. We are aware that there have been several reviews into the events in Leicester of 2022, including the Independent Leicester Review commissioned by the Conservative government in 2023. We hope that all of these pieces of work can be used and understood alongside one another to support the building of community cohesion in Leicester and across the UK.

Independent Leicester Review panel submitted their findings to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on 1 July 2025. The government is reviewing the panel’s findings and recommendations and will respond in due course.