Written question asked by Ian Gibson (Labour) on Wednesday, 27 October 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 15 November 2004. It was answered by Jane Kennedy (Labour) on Monday, 15 November 2004 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Dept for Work and Pensions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what publicly-funded English language courses aimed at providing the language skills needed to gain employment in the UK are available to Somalian nationals.

Answer: Dr. Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what publicly-funded English language courses aimed at providing the language skills needed to gain employment in the UK are available to Somalian nationals. [195304] Jane Kennedy: As part of our commitment to improving the employment rate of ethnic minority people, we offer up to 26 weeks of full time work- focused support through ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages). This support is available to eligible customers including Somali nationals, through the New Deal and Work Based Learning for Adults programmes. It aims to help participants move as far as possible towards Level 1 of the new national Skills for Life standards. In addition, those who have difficulty with the English language, including Somali nationals, can access ESOL college provision funded through the Learning and Skills Council--as long as it does not conflict with the terms of their Jobseeker's Agreement. People with basic skills needs--English for Speakers of Other Languages--have early entry to training and employment programmes. Responsibility for government funded training in Wales and Scotland is devolved to the Welsh Assembly and the Scottish Parliament respectively and in Northern Ireland to the Northern Ireland Office.

Secondary information