ENGLISH FOR SPEAKERS OF OTHER LANGUAGES FUNDING

Early day motion 383, tabled 4 December 2006 by Helen Jones (Labour). Signed by 159 members.

That this House regards the ability to read, write and speak English as an essential basic skill for all workers in the UK; welcomes the contribution to the UK economy and to the diversity of the population that migrant workers make; recognises that many migrant workers need basic training in English to help them integrate, be aware of their rights and to make a full contribution to society; further welcomes the role that trade unions and employers make in promoting and facilitating lifelong learning opportunities for all workers, including migrant workers; is concerned that funding for training in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) is due to be cut back at the end of this academic year; is further concerned that, as a consequence, low paid and vulnerable migrant workers will lose access to ESOL learning; and calls on the Government to reinstate appropriate funding for ESOL learning particularly for those least able to afford to pay for their own training.

Signatures by party: Labour 114, Liberal Democrat 28, Conservative 11, DUP 3, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2, Respect 1.