Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will take steps to help ensure asylum seekers integrate into local communities.

This Government is committed to ensuring refugees can take positive steps towards integration as they rebuild their lives in the UK. Not all of those who seek asylum are found to be in need of international protection. Rather than invest in integration for those who may not qualify for international protection, this Government’s priority is to focus our efforts and resources to support those who most need it.

Under certain circumstances, some asylum seekers are able to access English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) courses through the Adult Education Budget. They must be aged 19 or over and have lived in the UK for 6 months or longer while their claim is being considered by the Home Office or be in receipt of certain local authority support.

Supported asylum seekers are provided with accommodation where necessary and supported with various matters such as access to healthcare in their local area and ‘Move on’ support (to access mainstream benefits, access employment etc) once they have been granted asylum.