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Website URL : http://www.ucu.org.uk/index.cfm?articleid=2259
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ESOL latest news
The latest news and reports from the Save ESOL campaign. 16 July 2008 UCU responds to the Communities and Local Government Committee's community cohesion and migration report: 'Sadly, there is no firm proposal for meeting the language needs of low paid migrant workers as the committee, despite accepting that employers should pay towards language training, rejects compulsion.' 2 April 2008
UCU told the Communities and Local Government Committee that laudable government aims to lift migrant workers out of poverty and to deliver its community cohesion strategy would not happen unless appropriate funding is found. 4 January 2008Government announces new review of ESOL UCU welcomed the announcement by the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) that the government is launching a new consultation on how the funding for ESOL should be prioritised. DIUS is now proposing that: 'ESOL funding should be more specifically targeted to foster community cohesion and integration in our communities'. The consultation document suggests a range of 'hard to reach' or vulnerable target groups who should be ensured access to ESOL. It is also proposing that local authorities should have responsibility for coordinating and targeting provision at local level in line with specific local needs. There is, however, no additional funding for ESOL.
UCU will be responding to the consultation, which closes on 4 April 2008 and members who teach ESOL are asked to tell us their views. If you teach ESOL, look at the consultation document and let us know what you think by emailing us. 7 December 2007 UCU has called for joined up government thinking on the issue of translation services. Communities secretary, Hazel Blears, published new guidance on translation for local councils 'placing greater emphasis on learning English'. UCU warned that government restrictions on English classes were the reason many people are still reliant on translation services: 23 November 2007 UCU asked minister for further and higher education and lifelong learning Bill Rammell to look again at the impact of changes in ESOL funding. Alongside this, UCU publishes a briefing paper on the impact of the funding cuts: 19 October 2007 UCU general secretary Sally Hunt sent out the following message: '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 send your information to Jonathan White. 10 October 2007 UCU is still gathering information from branches and partners about changes in ESOL enrolment numbers, course closures and job losses. Results from a UCU survey suggest enrolment is down at many centres, apparently due to the deterrent effects of fees. The number of programmes is reduced and some job losses are reported. The effects in London may have been softened by the temporary funding arrangements but there are concerns that next year will witness significant cutbacks in provision and enrolment. NATECLA has also produced preliminary results of its own survey, which indicated that enrolment is down considerably and that colleges are struggling to interpret and administer rules regarding funding help for students. NIACE expect good data soon from a detailed survey of the top 20 or so ESOL providers. This will provide a fuller picture of what is happening nationally and UCU will be commenting on this and other data, and developing campaign tactics in response to this information in conjunction with campaign partners.We shall soon be in a position to raise fresh parliamentary questions on the basis of new evidence of the effects of changes to ESOL funding. We shall also explore other responses including a possible joint delegation to the minister/department and other campaigning and lobbying activity. September 2007 ESOL featured in UCU fringe meetings at the Liberal Democrat and Labour Party conferences and briefings were held. TUC Congress passed a composited motion from UCU and BFAW which called for 'a reversing of the cuts to adult learning funding and an end to the system of funding only those adult learning programmes that meet the narrow range of government targets' and which demanded a reversal of the funding changes to ESOL. In a Q&A session with secretary of state for business, enterprise and regulatory reform, John Hutton, UCU delegate John Bryan raised a question on ESOL. Also at TUC an ESOL fringe meeting organised by NIACE: 'Delivering fairness for ESOL learners', was addressed by UCU/NIACE's Paul Mackney. Other speakers included Jack Dromey of TGWU/UNITE. The education media have been giving ESOL their attention: 19 September
Save Esol Day of Action UCU branches were busy campaigning in: Newcastle upon Tyne, Birmingham, Stockton on Tees, Huddersfield, Bradford and London (Lambeth, Hackney, Tower Hamlets and Croydon). Some branches used imaginative ideas such as 'gagged' students and vacant chairs to attract media attention: reports and pictures are available here July and September 2007
Lambeth College UCU tells local councillors and MPs about impact of ESOL cuts In detailed letters local councillors and MPs, Lambeth College UCU has highlighted the impact of funding changes to ESOL upon the college, its staff, students and the local community. The branch listed in detail the courses which have been cut or will be cut this term, even despite the money provided by the Mayor of London. The branch explained: 'The hardest hit are the ESOL Literacy students who are the most socially excluded, from countries where there is war and/or extreme poverty and so they have little or no educational background.' The branch also warned of the false economy of privatising ESOL or ignoring social consequences of cutbacks: 'Please can councillors and politicians start to seriously address this issue before more money has to be spent on translators in schools, health care and other public services, and before we start having to pay out for the gaps in social integration which will start cracking open as the ESOL and other Adult Education cuts start to impact.' 12 July 2007
New Minister quizzed on ESOL UCU general secretary Sally Hunt has written to the Rt Hon John Denham MP, at the new Department for Innovation Universities and Skills (DIUS) calling for a moratorium on changes to ESOL funding. UCU expressed concern about redundancies and highlighted the views of the Commission on Integration and Cohesion which described ESOL provision as 'fundamental to integration and cohesion – for settled communities, new communities and future generations of immigrants'. Sally Hunt called for a meeting with the minister as soon as possible.  Read a copy of Sally's letter here (.pdf) [31kb] 20 July 2007
Media coverage The Guardian reports on the strength of the 'Save ESOL' campaign: Campaign gives voice to migrants
See further media coverage 4 July 2007
ESOL conference a success On Friday 29 June the ESOL conference set the future direction of the Save ESOL campaign. The day was a great success with seventy delegates from across the country, including students, tutors and activists. There were also representatives from trade unions such as Unison, Usdaw and CWU and organisations in support of the campaign including the Refugee Council, Children's Society and the Family Welfare Association. 14 June 2007
UCU responds to social cohesion report The report, Our Shared Future, says that 'a lack of language or employment skills and difficulties accessing English classes' were two of the barriers faced by migrants trying to integrate. It also recognises 'the key role immigration now plays in the success of the UK economy, and the importance of interaction in reducing concerns about immigrants', and calls for ESOL funding to be 'reconsidered; and that more innovative ways of providing ESOL need to be looked at'. UCU has said that unless the government stops plans to cut access to free English classes it has no chance of meeting the recommendations of a Commission on Integration and Cohesion (CIC) report: 25 May 2007
15,000 signature petition handed to Downing Street The Save ESOL campaign observed Adult Learning Week by delivering a petition signed by over 15,000 students, tutors and campaign supporters to the prime minister. Read more: 2 May 2007
London ESOL commitment The London Employment and Skills Board (LESB) has committed £15 million to protect the teaching of ESOL in London during 2007-08. Read the UCU press release: Lecturers welcome London ESOL effort - but urges government to act 30 April 2007
London protest march On Saturday 28 April, over 1,000 people marched through the streets of London to protest against plans to restrict essential access to English classes. The 'Save ESOL' campaign once again took to the streets to show the strength of feeling and despair at government proposals that will put an end to automatic fee remission for thousands. The plans are yet another blow to the FE sector and latest in a long line of threats to life-long learning. The marches all converged outside Hackney Town Hall at 2pm and campaigners heard from ESOL teachers, students, college and union leaders, and members of parliament including Islington MP, Jeremy Corbyn.  You can read UCU joint general secretary Paul Mackney's speech here (.rtf) [627kb] 27 April 2007
Early Day Motion Early Day Motion 383 continues to challenge government plans to restrict access to ESOL as support from MPs rises to 161 signatures. The latest to pledge his support the Save ESOL campaign is David Blunkett MP, former Secretary of State for Education.If your MP hasn't signed yet you can find them by going to www.writetothem.com. 26 March 2007
Race Impact Assessment The government has published a report of its Race Equality Impact Assessment, conducted to anticipate the impact of its plans for changes in the funding of ESOL. Read the impact assessment report here. Skills minister Bill Rammell issued an announcement in connection with the REIA and on further changes to ESOL plans.
UCU issued a comment on the REIA report. (.rtf) [554kb] ESOL briefing on race impact assessment (.pdf) [116kb] 23 March 2007
Adjournment debate ESOL was raised in an Adjournment Debate on community cohesion. 23 March 2007
More parliamentary questions answered The secretary of state for education has answered more questions from MPs about ESOL. If you want to raise a question that may not have been asked yet, please let Julian Nicholds know and we will do our best to put it forward. You can also contact your MP by going to www.theyworkforyou.com. Read the latest parliamentary answers here (.rtf) [273kb] 16 March 2007
Parliamentary questions on ESOL pile in Ministers forced to defend ESOL plans as parliamentary questions pile in.
Read the parliamentary questions and answers here (.rtf) [50kb] 14 March 2007
MPs debate ESOL 'A Minister at the Department for Education and Skills has emphasised the value of learning English for recent migrants to this country', MP points out in commons debate. 'However, that comes at a time when the brakes are being slammed on the ESOL budget.' Read the debate here 29 February 2007
Gordon Brown must invest in ESOL, says UCU UCU has urged chancellor Gordon Brown to demonstrate 'joined up' government and commit to greater investment in free English language courses for people who need them. The call followed a briefing by minister Bill Rammell outlining more concessions which though welcomed were considered inadequate by UCU. Read Gordon Brown must invest in English language courses, say teachers of 'ESOL' 27 February 2007
Over 1000 join 'Save ESOL' lobby of parliament The lobby of parliament and meetings in Westminster on 28 February attracted a fantastic turnout of over 1,000 people. Hundreds managed to meet their MP and attend the lobby meeting. Hundreds more attended a briefing in a specially arranged overflow hall. The appalling weather didn't manage to dampen the spirits of tutors and students who had come from as far as Newcastle and Exeter. Many queued in torrential rain for hours to see their MP, determined to make their views known.
In the lobby meeting, around 40 speakers voiced their support for the 'Save ESOL' campaign. MPs from Labour, Liberal Democrat and Conservative parties spoke in support and a Green Party MEP sent a message of support. Speakers from many national organisations added their backing and students, tutors, college principals, refugees and union members echoed the demand for the government to review its policy.
The Refugee Council assisted the day's events by arranging an ESOL lesson on Parliament Green. Students marched from a number of London colleges, some with colourful banners and messages.
BBC London TV filmed the ESOL lesson and broadcast interviews with students and UCU's Roger Kline, who explained that the government's intended changes to ESOL policy were contradictory and short-sighted. Local radio stations interviewed many students and tutors and Indymedia also carried coverage.
UCU joint general secretary Paul Mackney warned lifelong learning minister Bill Rammell that the 'future of British community relations' was in his hands. Bill Rammell indicated the government was considering five possible changes to its plans. Details of the changes will be reported here when we have them. Read: Minister is warned: 'future of British community relations is in your hands'
What happens now?
The 'Save ESOL' campaign continues, with further efforts to get the government to look at changes to funding it could make in the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) to protect free access to ESOL. Nationally, UCU and some of our partner organisations in this campaign will be arranging for parliamentary questions to be asked, and will continue lobbying. 21 February 2007
Lords debate ESOL As Save ESOL supporters got ready to come to London to lobby MPs, peers set out some of their concerns in a debate initiated by Lord Greaves.
Read the full Lords debate here (.rtf) [605kb] 23 January 2007
UCU asks college principals to support lobby on 28 February See the letter from UCU joint general secretary Paul Mackney to college principals (.rtf) [679kb] 11 January 2007
ESOL campaign launch Last night saw the first national campaign meeting of organisations to tackle government plans to restrict access to ESOL for the most vulnerable members of society. Over 150 representatives from over 50 organisations turned out to build a strong campaign and pledge support. Speakers included James Lee from the Refugee Council also Christine Lewis from Unison and James Rees from USDAW, two of the unions that represent some of the most vulnerable workers.
Read: Campaign demands continued rights to basic English language courses
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