IfL reiterates concerns about new Esol funding system

25 July 2011

In response to the publication of the Equality Impact Assessment into changes in the way that Esol is funded, Minister John Hayes MP has asked Lord Boswell and Baroness Sharp to advise on the funding system for English for speakers of other languages (Esol) courses.

Under new rules only individuals who receive ‘active’ benefits – jobseeker’s allowance or employment support allowance – will be entitled to free Esol training when the new rules come into effect on 1 August 2011. The Association of Colleges (AoC) estimate that this would affect at least 90,000 Esol learners, two-thirds of them women, and have subsequently led calls for an impact assessment.

Toni Fazaeli, said in a press release issued on 20 July, “IfL is concerned about the potential drop in Esol student numbers and that such a dramatic reduction could mean talented Esol teachers losing teaching time and having to turn away learners with great need… IfL will work in partnership with others, including Natecla and Niace, to take forward improvements.”

IfL have produced a briefing on the issue for members. You can add your views to the debate through the members online communities on the website in the “Prep for life and work” group.