Anna Davis, Education Correspondent
Almost 40,000 adults learning to speak English in London colleges will be forced to give up because of funding cuts, it was revealed today.
Money for the courses, which offer a “lifeline” for asylum seekers and immigrants, will be cut from September.
The changes mean students would have to pay up to £1,200 each, the Association of Colleges said.
Director of education policy Joy Mercer said the courses “have proved to be a lifeline for many people, including those on low incomes, their spouses, asylum seekers and refugees”.
Currently the Government funds courses for those on “inactive benefits” such as income support and housing support. From September only those on “active benefits” such as jobseeker’s allowance, will get full funding.
Others will pay half of the costs, which could be between £400 and £1,200.
A survey of London colleges found 38,000 students would be affected.
Ms Mercer said: “This would have a considerably negative impact on the ability of new citizens to progress to employment.”
A spokesman for the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills said the changes would not have a disproportionate impact on any particular group.
He added that employers and students should contribute towards costs “when public funds are limited”.
www.thisislondon.co.uk, 22 Feb 2011