FUNDING FOR ENGLISH FOR SPEAKERS OF OTHER LANGUAGES COURSES

That this House believes the ability to read, write and speak English is essential for all people living in the UK; recognises that courses of English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) play an important role in enabling UK citizens, refugees and others to contribute to public and economic life and to build inclusive and cohesive communities; is concerned by the funding changes to such courses proposed in the Government's Investing in Skills for Sustainable Growth document; notes that the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has yet to publish an equality impact assessment on the funding changes; is particularly concerned about the disproportionate impact on women, who comprise two-thirds of ESOL learners; and calls on the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills to modify the proposals to ensure that women currently outside the labour market and on a variety of benefits are not excluded.