Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking to provide Ukrainian refugees with English language training to support their ability to work in the UK.

The department knows that language skills are crucial to help people integrate into life in England, as well as to break down barriers to work and further learning.

The government is committed to supporting all Ukrainians in the UK to give them the same access to education and childcare as a UK citizen. All Ukrainian adults and their family members supported through the Ukraine Family Scheme, Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme, and Ukraine Extension Scheme have been made immediately eligible for education and training funded through the adult education budget (AEB), and are exempt from the 3-year residency requirement as per the current AEB funding rules. This includes English for speakers of other languages provision.

Currently, approximately 60% of the AEB is devolved to 9 Mayoral Combined Authorities and delegated to the Mayor of London acting through the Greater London Authority. These authorities are responsible for the provision of adult education and allocation of the AEB in their local areas. The Education and Skills Funding Agency is responsible for the remaining AEB in non-devolved areas where colleges and training providers have the freedom and flexibility to determine how they use their AEB to meet the needs of their communities.

Departmental officials and I continue to work closely with colleagues across government to consider where further support may be necessary.