John Battle MP (Lab, Leeds West) has said that a Government re-think for its plans to withdraw free English lessons for asylum seekers shows that “common sense has won through”.

Education ministers announced yesterday that they were putting forward new proposals which would ensure that some asylum seekers continued to receive free lessons. Under earlier plans, all eligibility for free lessons would have been removed.

Mr Battle said: “Limiting the chances for asylum seekers to learn English would leave them struggling to access basic services and increase the difficulties they already faced in coming to Britain. Over the past few months, I have been pressing the Government to put forward alternative proposals. This new announcement shows that the Government has listened to my concerns and that common sense has won through.”

The changes mean that asylum seekers who have not received a decision on their application after six months and those who are unable to leave the country for reasons beyond their control will still be eligible for free English lessons.

“This is a sensible way forward and I am confident that it will meet the major concerns raised over the original plans,” said Mr Battle.

©John Battle MP 29 March 2007