Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of increasing employment support for refugees.

All refugees and those granted protection in the UK should be able to fully integrate into life here and become self-sufficient, providing for themselves and their families, and contributing to the economy. Refugees in the UK have access to mainstream benefits and services to enable their integration and we are working across Government to ensure these services meet the needs of refugees.

The Government recognises the ability to speak English is key to helping refugees integrate into life in the UK, as well as to breaking down barriers to work and career progression.

The Government is committed to offering an enhanced integration package for refugees arriving through safe and legal routes, to help them integrate and become self-sufficient more quickly. This will be delivered in England through the Refugee Employability Programme (REP), centred on the three key pillars tailored employment support, integration support and English language training.