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Written question asked by Abena Oppong-Asare (Labour) on Monday, 10 July 2023, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 17 July 2023 (named day). It was answered by Claire Coutinho (Conservative) on Monday, 17 July 2023 on behalf of the Department for Education.

Sign Language: Adult Education

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many parents of deaf children participated in British sign language courses that were funded through the adult education budget in Greenwich and Bexley in each of the last three years.

Answer

About 60% of the adult education budget (AEB) has been devolved to Mayoral Combined Authorities and the Greater London Authority, which includes Greenwich and Bexley. Devolved areas decide how to make best use of AEB provision to meet learner needs of their areas and decide which providers to contract with to deliver AEB-funded learning.

According to data held by the department on the Individualised Learner Record, there were 10 adult (19+) education and training learning aim enrolments in the 2021/22 academic year by learners living in the London Borough of Bexley or the London Borough of Greenwich with ‘British Sign Language’ or ‘BSL’ in their aim title. In 2020/21, there were 10 enrolments and in 2019/20 there were 20. The department does not hold information as to whether the learners taking these aims have deaf children. Further clarity on use of the AEB in London may be provided by the Greater London Authority.

These figures do not correspond to learners, as learners may enrol on multiple aims. Additionally, these are funded adult (19+) education and training aim enrolments, so they will include AEB-funded learning, as well as other funding provision, such as advanced learner loans.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
193216
Session
2022-23
Subjects
Adult education Bexley Greenwich Sign language
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk