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

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support local authorities to reduce spending on translation into foreign languages, and whether they have issued any guidance to local authorities on this.

As independent bodies who take their own decisions, local authorities are responsible for assessing the need and value for money in delivering any translation services for their residents.

Government recognises that the ability to speak English is key to helping people integrate into life in the UK, as well as supporting people to access education, employment and other opportunities.

We continue to support English language provision in various ways, including through providing £11.5 million for English language courses and employment support for up to 12,500 Ukrainians across the UK through the ‘STEP Ukraine’ programme. Other cohorts supported with similar English Language provision include Hong Kong British Nationals (Overseas) and Afghans arriving in the UK through HMG-led relocation schemes.

More generally, the Department for Education supports adults aged 19+ in England who do not have English as a first language to access English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) provision, via the Adult Skills Fund.