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To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families whether children are able to meet the assessment areas in the early years foundation stage in a language other than English.

Asked by

Maria Miller (Conservative)

Answering body

Department for Children, Schools and Families

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

27 January 2009

Reference

487 c488-9W; 251334

House

House of Commons

Pupils: Languages

To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families according to the most recent school census, how many pupils in care had a language other than English as their first language.

Asked by

Tim Loughton (Conservative)

Answering body

Department for Children, Schools and Families

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

4 November 2008

For answer on

6 November 2008

Answered on

11 November 2008

The most recent census data relates to January 2008. The information requested from this census is shown in the table.The census shows 34,390 pupils aged five to 19 attending primary, secondary and special schools who are classed as being in care as at January 2008. Data published by the Department as SFR 23/2008: Children looked after in England (including adoption and care leavers) year ending 31 March 2008, shows 47,600 children aged between five and 19 as being looked after as at 31 March 2008. The school census does not cover all looked after children; information is not collected for pupils in alternative provision, including pupil referral units, FE colleges, voluntary provision and those not in education or training. These differences in coverage will explain the different counts to an extent, but it is possible that the school census undercounts the number of looked after children in primary, secondary and special schools.

Primary, secondary and special schools¹,²,³—number and percentage of pupils classified as being in care by their first language4: England as at January 2008
	Pupils whose first language is classified as:
	English	Other than English	Unclassified
	Number of pupils	Percentage	Number of pupils	Percentage	Number of pupils	Percentage
Pupils in care5	31,690	92.2	2,560	7.4	140	0.4
All pupils6	5,795,430	87.2	824,490	12.4	23,020	0.3
¹ Includes middle schools as deemed.
² Includes CTCs and academies.
³ Includes both maintained and non-maintained special schools, excludes general hospital schools.
4 Pupils of compulsory school age and over were classified by first language.
5 The number of pupils in care collected via the school census is known to be under-reported.
6 Headcount of pupils, including dual registrations, aged between five and 19 as at 31 August 2007.
Note:
Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10.
Source:
School Census

Date

11 November 2008

Reference

482 c1073-4W; 234025

House

House of Commons

Home Office

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make a statement on the development of the programme for (a) welcoming new UK citizens and (b) improving their competence in the English language.

Asked by

Lord Boswell of Aynho (Conservative)

Answering body

Home Office

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

15 January 2004

Reference

144074; 416 c889-90W;416 c887-8W

House

House of Commons

Home Office

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, for what reason UK passports specify identification details in French in addition to English; and whether he plans to replace French with an alternative language.

Asked by

Tim Loughton (Conservative)

Answering body

Home Office

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

18 March 2003

Reference

102737; 401 c715W

House

House of Commons

Home Office

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment he has made of the level of student visa fraud; what checks there are in place to prevent the facilitation of illegal immigrants by language schools; what action is taken against language schools found to be issuing certificates...

Asked by

Oliver Letwin (Conservative)

Answering body

Home Office

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

26 November 2002

Reference

395 c250W; 82561;82560;82562

House

House of Commons

Home Office

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, If he will make a statement on his plans to offer language and citizenship education to those settling in the UK. - Including list. (Failed OPQ).

Asked by

Claire Ward (Labour)

Answering body

Home Office

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

15 October 2002

For answer on

28 October 2002

Answered on

28 October 2002

Claire Ward: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his plans to offer language and citizenship education to those settling in the UK. [75327] Beverley Hughes: The advisory group, chaired by Professor Sir Bernard Crick, will be making recommendations on language and citizenship education for people seeking naturalisation. The advisory group is working on a programme of study, which will be part of English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) language teaching for those assessed as not having sufficient English. The Group has had two meetings so far and intends issuing an interim report early in the New Year, with a final report around Easter 2003. The Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Bill refers to applicants having to deomonstrate "sufficient English (or Welsh or Scottish Gaelic)". The Group is presently interpreting `sufficient English' as meaning enough linguistic ability to sustain unskilled employment in an English-speaking environment. For those with that minimal level already, they consider that attendance at classes should raise their level of competence to the next entry level, as defined in the existing adult learning language skills criteria. In other words, the Group is considering the concept of attendance and progression, rather than requiring all applicants to reach an absolute standard that for some might never be achievable. The Group has considered whether there might be some sort of screening process to filter out those people who already have sufficient English. While we do not want to make unnecessary work for people who already have a good command of one of the UK languages, we do want them to demonstrate their knowledge of life in the UK. Screening might also be used to allocate people to programmes which best meet their needs. ESOL teachers are well used to assessing linguistic capability to get people on to the right course and a number of such tools already exist. Defining these borderlines more precisely will of course take a little time. Issues of numbers and resources, as well as standards, will also need to be considered. And, as I have said already, those with good English already may not be required to attend all the classes and may study privately for the citizenship element of the programme. This will require some innovative thought about delivery methods, bearing in mind that the overall objective is to facilitate integration and not just to test knowledge. For those people for whom any course of study would be too challenging, perhaps by virtue of their age or infirmity, or because they have learning difficulties, the Bill includes a provision to waive these requirements. So, people who can provide sound reasons for not demonstrating progress or achievement will not be debarred from acquiring British citizenship. The Group is currently considering a "Living in the United Kingdom" programme under six broad heads. These are: Information on everyday needs--for instance, types of housing, paying bills, and schooling; Knowing the law--for instance, the rights and responsibilities of a citizen; Sources of help and information--including both national and local voluntary and community bodies; Employment--for instance, understanding how to get a job, and employment rights and responsibilities; Britain as a changing and multi-cultural society--including the four historical nations, the new ethnic and religious groups and changing patterns in family life and relationships; British national institutions--political, economic and social. The level would obviously be basic, and dependent on someone's needs at a particular point in their immigration history. But the Group is involved in ongoing discussions as to whether a more in-depth programme on the last two items would not be sensible for those with good English already. I understand that, because some migrants do not become eligible for free education immediately, the Group intends recommending that the kind of information contained in the "Living in Britain" programme should be made available, perhaps at the point at which entry clearance is granted, to people such as work permit holders or spouses who have an avenue to indefinite leave to remain. For this purpose, the members will be proposing that the Government produces a `Living in Britain' booklet to be given out at ports of entry or at posts abroad. Such a booklet could be translated into a number of languages to help those who, as yet, have not acquired language skills but who could, nevertheless, benefit from what it contains in their path to becoming active, involved citizens. The Group intends to make an interim report early in the new year for public discussion and hopes to make a final report around Easter. The group will shortly be embarking on a widespread programme of consultation.

Date

28 October 2002

Reference

391 c617-8W;391 c613-4W; 75327

House

House of Commons

Home Office

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assistance is afforded to asylum seekers to prepare their cases when they are unfamiliar with the English language; and if he will make a statement.

Asked by

Desmond Swayne (Conservative)

Answering body

Home Office

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

15 October 2002

For answer on

22 October 2002

Answered on

22 October 2002

Mr. Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assistance is afforded to asylum seekers to prepare their cases when they are unfamiliar with the English language; and if he will make a statement. [75483] Beverley Hughes: Asylum applicants are provided with help in a language that they understand at all stages of the asylum process. Interpreters are available free of charge for all dealings with the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND). When an asylum application is made at a port or in country at a Screening Unit, an interpreter will be provided to help the applicant through the screening process. Where an applicant is given a Statement of Evidence Form (SEF) to complete they are provided with explanatory notes both in English and one of 33 languages. The explanatory notes set out what is expected of the applicant and the possible consequences should they fail to comply with our requests. An interpreter will be provided for any substantive interview conducted with the applicant. The applicant will previously have been asked on the SEF or during the screening process to give details of the language and dialect in which they would prefer to be interviewed. If an applicant is to be sent to the Oakington Reception Centre they will be given a leaflet, translated into 29 languages, which explains how their application will be considered. Interpreters are provided on site. Applicants who are referred to an Induction Centre receive various briefings in a language that they understand about the asylum process and how to claim support and accommodation. All the information supplied to the applicants includes details of how to find a representative to help with the application and details of organisations that provide assistance free of charge. If an asylum applicant receives a negative decision and chooses to appeal against that decision, they will be provided with an interpreter at any appeal hearing.

Date

22 October 2002

Reference

391 c235W; 75483

House

House of Commons

Home Office

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many languages are spoken among those whose claims for asylum are registered and undetermined. (Holding answer 18 June 2002).

Asked by

Lord Willis of Knaresborough (Liberal Democrat)

Answering body

Home Office

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

21 June 2002

Reference

62174; 387 c624W

House

House of Commons

Home Office

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, What representations he has received on the publication of racist articles in foreign language newpapers distributed in the United Kingdom. (Failed OPQ)

Asked by

Lord Goodman of Wycombe (Conservative)

Answering body

Home Office

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

10 June 2002

Reference

57081; 386 c800-1W;386 c801W

House

House of Commons

Home Office

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, If he will make a statement on his plans to offer language and citizenship education to those settling long term in the UK. (Failed OPQ)

Asked by

Terry Rooney (Labour)

Answering body

Home Office

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

10 June 2002

Reference

57078; 386 c800W

House

House of Commons

Home Office

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the (a) national origin and (b) first language is of each (i) convicted and (ii) remand prisoner held in the special secure unit at HMP Belmarsh; what translation facilities are available for prisoners for (A) routine prison administrative and...

Asked by

Kevin McNamara (Labour)

Answering body

Home Office

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

23 April 2002

For answer on

14 May 2002

Answered on

14 May 2002

Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the (a) national origin and (b) first language is of each (i) convicted and (ii) remand prisoner held in the special secure unit at HMP Belmarsh; what translation facilities are available for prisoners for (A) routine prison administrative and matters connected with good order in the prison, (B) medical examinations, (C) legal visits and (D) family visits; and how many non-English language books (1) are held by HMP Belmarsh and (2) have been borrowed in the past six months by prisoners held in the special secure unit. [52463] Beverley Hughes: The facility at Belmarsh prison is designated as a high secure unit. The number of prisoners currently held in the high secure unit is 34. The national origin of those convicted is Colombian (one); United Kingdom (seven). The national origin of those unconvicted is Algerian (two); Belgium (one): Spanish (one); Egyptian (two); Irish (six); Jamaican (one); Turkish (two); United Kingdom (10). One person has declined to declare a national origin. All prisoners in the high secure unit are able to speak English. Translation facilities are currently available in Arabic, Spanish and Turkish to enable prisoners to communicate via the telephone or, where security issues arise, during visits. Belmarsh has continuous translation facilities for attendance at the prison to carry out simultaneous translation of visits and telephone calls. These facilities are also available where there is a need for staff to communicate with a prisoner on a medical or induction interview. Belmarsh also has the use of telephone translation facilities. Where circumstances arise, Belmarsh would also use other prisoners speaking the same language to assist in translation, or use staff who are able to speak foreign languages. There is also a contract translation service for use with mail and other written material. No translation service is provided for legal visits, on the grounds that the visiting legal representative would make such arrangements. Induction packs for newly arrived prisoners are available in a limited number of foreign languages. Belmarsh has approximately 700 non-English books in the library. Records are not kept to show the number of such books that have been borrowed by prisoners held in the high secure unit. All prisoners have access to the library and may borrow books.

Date

14 May 2002

Reference

52463; 385 c599-600W

House

House of Commons

Home Office

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many prison officers speak (a) Arabic, (b) Hindi, (c) Urdu, (d) Farsi or Dari and (e) Pashto as a first language; how many officers, and at what grades, are trained to speak each language; and how many translators are...

Asked by

Kevin McNamara (Labour)

Answering body

Home Office

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

12 December 2001

Reference

21308; 376 c922W

House

House of Commons

Dept of the Environment Transport and the Regions

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what timetable he has set for the assessment of the case for Cornish to be specified for the purposes of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages.

Asked by

Andrew George (Liberal Democrat)

Answering body

Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

17 January 2001

Reference

145869; 361 c262-3W

House

House of Commons

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House

Session

Year

Department

Member

Primary member

Answering member

Legislative stage

Legislation

Subject

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