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

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to assist new arrivals in the UK to become part of the community.

The Government is committed to supporting refugees and those granted protection in the UK to fully integrate and contribute to British economy and society, in a way that promotes community cohesion.

Refugees (those granted asylum, humanitarian protection or temporary protection under the Immigration Rules), as well as individuals on resettlement schemes with Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), have access to mainstream benefits and services to support their integration. Work is happening across Government and with local partners to ensure these services meet the needs of both refugees and the communities in which they live.

Across government, we work in partnership with local authorities to understand local needs and to support access to housing, services and community support. English language is a key part of integration. Adults in England can access English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) provision through the Adult Skills Fund, supporting access to education, employment and other opportunities. Alongside mainstream provision, the Government also funds targeted English language and employment support programmes, including the STEP programme.

The Government has also provided funding to Strategic Migration Partnerships in England to build local English language capacity and support community-based provision, helping people to access support and connect with their communities.

In Protecting What Matters, we committed to setting clear expectations for integration (including English language proficiency and participation in work) and to developing a cross-government integration strategy. Efforts will focus on removing barriers to participation, supporting underrepresented groups, and fostering a shared sense of values across the UK.