Community Relations

(asked on 21st November 2024) - View Source

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

To ask His Majesty's Government what action they are taking to improve integration in communities by supporting English language proficiency.


Answered by
Lord Khan of Burnley Portrait
Lord Khan of Burnley
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
This question was answered on 4th December 2024

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.

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