Mayor secures funding for ESOL in London

Press release 2 May 2007 Mayor of London and Chair of the London Skills and Employment Board, Ken Livingstone today announced that he has secured a £15 million funding package to enable colleges to continue funding English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) in the capital. The package, which will be joint funded by the Learning and Skills Council and the London Development Agency, will address changes in education funding which threaten a significant proportion of London’s ESOL provision. Potentially nine of London’s colleges that deliver significant levels of ESOL provision face adult funding reductions of over £1 million. Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone said: `Being supported in English language skills is vital to ensure that those who choose to come to London can make their contribution in the workplace and play an active role in the community. `The scale of the cuts in provision that were being envisaged were not acceptable and put at risk our ability to make adequate ESOL provision in London. We have been able to put together a package of resources which should enable colleges and other providers to maintain provision at this year’s level. `The support of the London Skills and Employment Board has ensured that a funding package has been brought together to maintain access to support for learning English, which will assist in breaking down language barriers and promoting social cohesion. ‘The Board will now be able to continue its work on developing a Skills and Employment Strategy for London to ensure all Londoners have the skills provision they need to realise their full potential. ‘ Manny Lewis, Chief Executive of the London Development Agency said: `Being able to speak English is one of the basic skills that gets Londoners into work. We – at the London Development Agency – are pleased we are able to help keep ESOL training on track.’ Dame Ruth Silver DBE, Principal, Lewisham College said: `ESOL plays a vital role in equipping people for working life and is an important tool in promoting social cohesion. Lewisham College is the largest provider of ESOL in South East London and the scale in the reductions in funding for next year would have been reflected in a significant loss of ESOL provision. I welcome the role of the Mayor in brokering the funding package which will enable ESOL provision in the capital to be maintained.’ Notes to Editors 1. Of the £15 million funding package to support college-based ESOL provision, £10 million will be provided by the Learning and Skills Council, with £5 million from the London Development Agency. 2. This funding is for one year only and will support colleges and providers to make the changes they need to be able to meet the future strategy of the Board. This will require more delivery focussed on supporting people into work and more delivery in the workplace. 3. The Skills and Employment Board for London includes top London business leaders, large employers, education specialists and union representation. The Mayor chairs the Board and Harvey McGrath, chair of the Man Group and chair of London business organisation London First, is vice chair. The Board helps to equip Londoners with the skills that best meet employers’ needs. 4. The London Skills and Employment Board is preparing a Skills and Employment Strategy for London. It is intended that a draft strategy is available for consultation in the autumn of 2007 with a view to publication in early 2008.