Home Secretary Amber Rudd has pledged new support for English language learning in a speech to the Conservative Party Conference.

While addressing the topic of immigration, the Home Secretary also announced extra investment to help people arriving from overseas to integrate into British society.

Refugee Action welcomes the emphasis on the need for more to be done to help people arriving in the UK to learn English. We will be calling on the Home Secretary to make sure that her plans include a clear focus on the needs of refugees.

Our campaign to Let Refugees Learn spells out just how important English language learning is for refugees. It’s the key that unlocks entry into employment or education, the building of relationships with their communities, and the ability to access essential services such as the NHS.

But cuts to English language funding over the past five years have resulted in years-long waiting lists, oversubscribed classes, insurmountable travel times and increasing problems for women with young children. Many refugees feel that they are unable to build a new life here because of the language barrier, and cannot get the support they need to learn English.

It’s great to see that the fundamental necessity of good English language teaching is being recognised by the Home Secretary. Now, we need to hold the government to account, and make sure they Let Refugees Learn.

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For more information, please contact Refugee Action’s press office.

Notes on Refugee Action: With more than 30 years of experience resettling refugees in Britain, Refugee Action is currently working with local authorities up and down the country to resettle Syrians on the Government’s Scheme (VPRS) and refugees from other countries arriving through the Gateway Programme.

Our Let Refugees Learn campaign aims to ensure that all refugees have the opportunity to learn the language of their new home.