Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will take steps to help ensure that ESOL courses are continually funded in England.

The department recognises that English language skills are essential to help people integrate into life in the UK, as well as to break down barriers to work and career progression. That is why we want to support people in the UK to secure the English language skills they need.

The department funds English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) provision for eligible adults aged 19 and over through the Adult Education Budget (AEB).

Currently, approximately 60% of the AEB is devolved to nine 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 (ESFA) 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. Guidance for these providers is set out in the ESFA Adult Education Budget Funding Rules 2022/23, which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/adult-education-budget-aeb-funding-rules-2022-to-2023.

In addition, the department continues to improve the ESOL offer for learners. The department is also ensuring the continued quality of ESOL qualifications through the Qualifications Review. We have also acted quickly to make new arrivals from Afghanistan and Ukraine under designated schemes immediately eligible for fully or co-funded ESOL through the Adult Education Budget.