Written question asked by Gordon Prentice (Labour) on Monday, 24 May 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 9 June 2004. It was answered by Ivan Lewis (Labour) on Wednesday, 9 June 2004 on behalf of the Department for Education and Skills.

Dept for Education and Skills

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what steps he is taking to ensure that non-English speaking spouses of UK citizens are given access to language training; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps he is taking to ensure that non-English speaking spouses of UK citizens are given access to language training; and if he will make a statement. [176279] Mr. Ivan Lewis: English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) provision is a key part of Skills for Life: the Government's national strategy for improving adult literacy and numeracy. This provision is free to eligible learners and is widely available through further education colleges. A spouse of a UK citizen is eligible for Learning and Skills Council further education funding if they have been both married and resident in the UK for one year. These arrangements only apply to spouses from outside the European Union.

Secondary information