petitions

Luciana Berger Excerpts

Thursday 17th February 2011 Commons Chamber

[Luciana Berger (Liverpool, Wavertree) (Lab/Co-op)]

I wish to present a petition on behalf of the tutors and students of English for speakers of other languages—ESOL—in Liverpool. The petitioners believe that the proposed changes will have a devastating effect on ESOL provision, ESOL teachers’ jobs and ESOL students, particularly those on low wages or on no wage at all.

I am grateful for the support of my hon. Friend the Member for Liverpool, Riverside (Mrs Ellman), who is unfortunately unable to be here owing to parliamentary business in Westminster Hall, but is also a supporter of the petition. There are 322 signatures.

The petition states:

The Petition of tutors and students of English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) in Liverpool,

Declares that the Petitioners oppose the proposed changes to the funding for English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) courses in the Government’s ‘Investing in Skills for Sustainable Growth’ document; notes that the Petitioners believe that the proposed changes will have a devastating effect on ESOL provision, ESOL teachers’ jobs and ESOL students, particularly those on low wages; and further notes that the Petitioners believe that in Liverpool many students will be left with little hope of improving their language skills and job prospects as a result of the changes.

The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government not to cut funding for ESOL courses.

And the Petitioners remain, etc.

[P000889]