Debates between Sarah Champion and Damian Green during the 2017-2019 Parliament

Race Disparity Audit

Debate between Sarah Champion and Damian Green
Tuesday 10th October 2017

(7 years, 2 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Sarah Champion Portrait Sarah Champion (Rotherham) (Lab)
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This morning the Communities and Local Government Secretary highlighted that some Pakistani and Bangladeshi women do not have English. May I suggest that one reason for that is that the Government have cut English for speakers of other languages funding by 60%? Will the Minister commit to change that and reverse the cuts so that everybody can reach their potential?

Damian Green Portrait Damian Green
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My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government was quite right to point out that one of the biggest things holding people back is their not being allowed to speak the language of the country. That is why we spent £100 million last year on teaching English to ensure that more people than ever before can have access to it and play a full role in mainstream society.