Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to ensure that refugees have access to English language classes after their arrive in the UK.

The Government is committed to ensuring that all refugees in the UK have access to English language courses. For refugees resettled in the UK under the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme and the Vulnerable Children’s Resettlement Scheme the Government has provided additional funding which can be accessed by local authorities for these refugees only. Those who make their own way to the UK to claim asylum and are granted refugee status have access to English language courses without having to meet the normal qualifying requirement of three years ordinary residence. For refugees receiving work related benefits courses are free.