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