[EDLING:2205] UK: restrictions on language lessons for asylum seekers

[Francis M Hult]

Via lgpolicy...

> Lucy Ward, social affairs correspondent
> Thursday December 28, 2006
> The Guardian
> 
> Free English lessons for adult asylum seekers to be axed
> 
> The government is planning to axe free English language lessons for adult
> asylum seekers next year in a move campaigners say will undermine efforts
> to encourage new arrivals in the UK to integrate and will leave young
> children acting as translators for their parents. From August 2007 asylum
> seekers aged over 18 will no longer be eligible for free further education
> and English courses. Ministers say the change is designed to shift funds
> away from those applying to stay in Britain and towards those whose claim
> has been granted. However, campaigners argue the move will leave
> vulnerable asylum seekers attempting to cope with a maze of officialdom
> and red tape without the language skills they need, as well as delaying
> their efforts to settle if their application to stay is granted.
> 
> Foreigners applying for British citizenship already have to take a
> language test, and the Home Office announced earlier this month that from
> April 2007 those applying for indefinite leave to remain will also face an
> English test and a quiz on life in the UK. The Children's Society, whose
> work covers refugee and asylum-seeking children, warns that denying
> parents the chance to begin learning English will also have the effect of
> placing the burden of translation and interpretation on their children,
> who will be able to continue learning the language free. The charity says
> it has already seen examples of children having to take on inappropriate
> roles, such as interpreting results of sensitive medical tests relating to
> rape or torture, translating letters about problems with their own
> schooling and documents issued under section 9 of the 2004 Asylum and
> Immigration Act which threaten to take them into care if the family does
> not return home voluntarily.
> 
> A submission by the Children's Society to the Home Office states: "We are
> certain this measure will place an enormous burden on children,
> disempowering their parents even further, and may particularly isolate
> women." Policy adviser Lisa Nandy said the cuts to language classes seemed
> inconsistent with government moves to compel immigrants to pass an English
> test. She said: "In the light of efforts being made to aid integration and
> build social cohesion it seems shortsighted to pursue a policy which will
> create pools of exclusion containing people who may remain in the UK for
> the rest of their lives. Refugees face many disadvantages ... without also
> being denied the basic language skills to cope in a strange country. The
> withdrawal of classes tilts the balance against their chances of
> survival." In 43% of cases asylum applications took longer than six months
> to process, she said.
> 
> The Department for Education and Employment yesterday defended the
> changes, saying that resources were being focused on those who had been
> "given a positive decision on their asylum claim".
> http://politics.guardian.co.uk/homeaffairs/story/0,,1979272,00.html