Press releases and events

UCU: Government should do more to promote community cohesion through English language provision

Wednesday, 16, Jul 2008 12:00

The University and College Union, UCU, today responded to the Communities and Local Government Committee's Community Cohesion and Migration Report.

Sally Hunt, general secretary of the University and College Union, UCU, said:

'UCU welcomes this report which rightly recognises the contribution which courses in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) make to community cohesion. We agree that English classes should be available for the most vulnerable and those with greatest need, particularly women in settled communities.

'Sadly, there is no firm proposal for meeting the language needs of low paid migrant workers as the committee, despite accepting that employers should pay towards language training, rejects compulsion.

‘Our members who teach these courses would also welcome the review of ESOL provision which the committee calls for. This may help stem the tide of learners who are losing out under the new funding regime as they can no longer afford these classes.'

Ends

UCU submitted evidence to the committee.

Contact: UCU Press Officer Trevor Phillips 0207 520 1032 and 07773 796882

Want additional support? The College and University Support Network (CUSN) offers UCU members a range of services - from factsheets to counselling. Access these services online http://cusn.info/ or through the 24/7 telephone support line, Freephone 08000 329952

Disclaimer:
Press releases published on this page are from key opinion formers who promote their organisation's activities by subscribing to a campaign site within politics.co.uk. politics.co.uk does not endorse, edit, or attempt to balance the opinions expressed on this page. The content of press releases are wholly the responsibility of the originating company or organisation.

Latest press releases

UCU: Disharmony at work says survey on day of bullying conference

The University and College Union (UCU) today (Thursday) reveals that a culture of bullying and personal harassment in higher education is creating discord between work colleagues who complain of strained working relationships.

UCU response to Reform report on higher education

Responding to The Mobile Economy report from think tank Reform, the University and College Union (UCU) said today (Wednesday) that the report’s proposals would be bad for students and bad for the country.

UCU response to NUS/HSBC student survey

The University and College Union (UCU) said today (Tuesday) that it welcomed a survey from the National Union of Students (NUS) and HSBC bank that reveals the majority of students highly rate the quality of teaching they receive at university.

UCU response to new university plans

University and College Union (UCU) said it welcomed plans to open up higher education to more of the population but warned that contradictory government funding policy and the high price of studying could severely limit many people’s choice of degree.