Bedford Borough Council has received over £288k from the Government ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) Integration Fund to help support English language programmes for speakers of English as a foreign language across the borough.

Bedford Council started the programme in 2019, after receiving a grant from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government English Coordination Fund. Further Government funding will help the Council continue the programme of supporting non-English speaking residents in Bedford. The courses assist speakers of English as a foreign language to achieve a level of English that should help with essential communication skills, employment opportunities and access to services. 

Conservative Group Leader Cllr Graeme Coombes commented “This additional Government funding should help Bedford Council to sweep away language barriers and open up education and job opportunities, as well as access to essential services. It will support families, their livelihoods and our local economy.

Afghanistan reminds us that teaching English skills to new arrivals will be an essential part of successfully integrating people to whom English is not their first language. It should help make them part of the community so much faster.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

Acceptance of 2019 funding for ESOL classes: http://apps.bedford.gov.uk/ExecDecisions/Files/D435807206622106.pdf

Press Contact:

Steve Vallance, Political Researcher, Bedford Borough Conservative Group

Email: [email protected]           

Phone: 07505 142460