Asylum seekers should be entitled to free English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and not have to wait until their claims for asylum have been approved. This is the principle aim of A Right to a Voice - a campaign launched on 10th December 2008 in London, on the 60th Anniversary of the UN Declaration of Human Rights, by NIACE, the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education.

With the support of many other voluntary organisations, including the Refugee Council, A Right to a Voice will:

• reveal the impact of ESOL policy changes upon asylum seekers as a vulnerable group
• highlight the injustice and inefficiency of the current policy with regard to access to ESOL provision
• seek to change government policy in England regarding access to ESOL

Alan Tuckett, Director of NIACE, said, “The provision of English language courses to asylum seekers is both humane and just. Being able to speak the language in the country of exile is essential to every asylum seeker. Research shows that immediate access to English allows asylum seekers to interact with their new local neighbourhoods and it contributes to community cohesion. It enables the parent to speak to her child''s teacher, to explain herself to a doctor and to begin to function independently in society without recourse to expensive translation or interpreting resources.”

He ended, “Newly arrived asylum seekers who begin to learn the language from day one are more likely to learn quickly and efficiently and therefore be able to work and contribute to the economy when permitted to do so.”

Following the announcement from Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, John Denham, that public funding for English language teaching should be targeted where it will have the biggest impact on community cohesion and integration, Alan Tuckett, Director of National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE), said:

"I warmly welcome Government's recognition of the key importance of provision of English for Speakers of Other Languages to community cohesion, and that it continues to consult widely on policy development in a rapidly evolving field. Access to a common language is a pre-condition to effective participation at work and in community life. I welcome, too, the recognition in the paper that some communities continue to have less access to provision, and the wider civic engagement it makes possible, and the clear steer that providers and funders will need to give these groups priority in the use of available resources."

On 4th January 2008, UCU said that the government's launch of a consultation on arrangements and funding for tuition of English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) was a welcome opportunity to rethink present arrangements.

In October 2006 the government announced plans to limit free entitlement to ESOL courses. UCU warned that the unintended consequences of this move would exclude large groups that desperately want and need to study English from participating fully in our society.

UCU believes that the review will allow it the opportunity to show the government the true impact of the restriction of ESOL classes. The union has been collecting evidence from its members who teach ESOL.

UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: 'UCU welcomes this fresh look at ESOL. We have been seeking such a review and we shall participate fully.

'We have consistently warned that bringing in fees for ESOL would hit vulnerable people and jeopardise community cohesion. The government, quite rightly, has cited community cohesion as a central plank of building a fairer and more equitable Britain and this review appears intended to take account of that.

UCU will examine closely the detail of the proposed review and we shall want to sit down with DIUS, the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) and other stakeholders to analyse learner figures for last term and the impact of the ESOL funding changes introduced last September.

'The funding must be found to ensure the most needy and vulnerable in society are not further marginalised through an inability to afford to learn to speak the language of this country. The government must also look afresh at ways of making employers pay their share of the language training costs of employees.'

UCU has published a briefing paper on the impact of funding cuts. In this briefing our members tell us in their own words that:

• Overall enrolments have been affected across the board.
• Learners who need beginner and entry level courses have been turned away as course provision has moved to higher levels. It appears that this switch does not follow the pattern of demand.
• Those most affected by the new fees and by the cuts in beginner and entry level course provision are the most needy and most vulnerable people in the UK, often women on low incomes in settled communities or migrant workers.
• The funds to support low income learners are complex, inconsistent and patchy in impact and offer no long-term solution.

'My thanks to everyone who has sent us reports and individual stories on the impact of ESOL funding changes in their areas. Some of you have sent us your responses to the Ofsted survey of ESOL and if anyone else has these, please forward them on to us. Time is now short. Please keep the reports coming and send us anything you have by November 12 at the latest.'

Please email your reports to Jonathan White, Acting Head of Campaigns, UCU, Egmont House, 25-31 Tavistock Place, London WC1H 9UT (Tel: 0207 670 9700 or Mob: 07776 254 014)

"I want to thank everyone who has been sending us their reports on the impact of the cuts in ESOL entitlement. I was able to use this to lobby the Minister for further and higher education and lifelong learning, Bill Rammell. Following these meetings, Bill Rammell has agreed to meet me to review the situation. What I need now is the clearest and most detailed possible picture of how changes in ESOL funding are affecting course provision, enrolments and who is taking ESOL courses. If we are to get the minister to understand the real impact of this policy, we will need all the evidence we can gather, both in terms of the figures and in terms of any individual stories that illustrate the real impact on peoples' lives. So please send us everything you can.''

Please email or send your information to Jonathan White, Acting Head of Campaigns, UCU, Egmont House, 25-31 Tavistock Place, London WC1H 9UT - Tel: 0207 670 9700 - Mob: 07776 254 014

The ESOL Day of Action takes places on Wednesday 19th September 2007.

This is an opportunity for students and tutors alike to kick the second year of campaigning into action. UCU will shortly be providing you with an online campaign pack so that you can make the most of the day and get the Save ESOL message out. In the meantime, put the date in your diary and start thinking about the ways you can make the day a success.

To coincide with the ESOL Day of Action: Wednesday 19th September 2007

NATECLA has been asked to collect information on enrolment to answer press requests for information and for them to continue to pursue the campaign with evidence from the sector. LLU+ are collecting the information and will forward this to NATECLA.

Please fill in the attached questionnaire by Friday 14th September 2007 and return by email to Clare Thomas at LLU+. Please note colleges will not be named. LLU+ will also find the information really useful.

This is the LSC London response to LSC National Statement of Priorities in relation to Skills for Life and ESOL.

The LSC in London, together with large ESOL providers has sent a letter to Bill Rammel, Minister for Further Education. Click here to see a copy of the letter.

Prior to sending this letter the LSC consulted with providers, click here to see the summary paper.