Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to increase the number of providers of English for Speakers of Other Languages.

The department understands that language skills are crucial to help people integrate into life in England, as well as to break down barriers to work and enable career progression. The department funds English for Speakers of Other Languages provision for eligible adults aged 19 and over through the Adult Education Budget (AEB).

Currently, approximately 60% of the AEB is devolved to nine Mayoral Combined Authorities and the Mayor of London, acting where appropriate through the Greater London Authority. These authorities are now responsible for the provision of AEB-funded adult education for their residents and allocation of the AEB to providers.

The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) is responsible for funding eligible learners resident outside of these areas. Most of the AEB that is managed by the ESFA is allocated to grant funded providers including further education colleges, local authorities, higher education institutes, and specialist designated institutions. Where a provider that directly receives AEB or 16 to 19 ESFA/department funding can evidence that it would enhance the quality of the learner offer they may subcontract to another delivery organisation. Directly funded providers are required to undertake thorough due diligence checks when appointing any delivery subcontractor and must comply with the department's subcontracting rules.

The 2021 Autumn Budget and Spending Review has made available an extra £1.6 billion for 16-19 education in 2024/25, compared with 2021/22. This is the biggest increase in funding for a decade.

In support of local authorities’ statutory duty to secure provision in a local area, the department will consider their requests to fill a gap in provision. Where evidenced gaps cannot be filled through negotiation with good existing providers, they are put out to tender through open competition.