Thursday 14 December 2006

Letter to my MP

Dear Lyn Brown,

I am writing to you to draw attention to Early Day Motion 383 'English for Speakers of Other Language Funding' tabled on the 4th of December by Helen Jones. The motion expresses concern at the Government's plans to cut ESOL funding for migrant workers and asylum seekers.

As an ESOL lecturer, at Barking College, one may consider that I have a vested interest. I cannot deny that. However, I would also consider that I am also in a good position to see the effects of English-Language tuition on migrant workers and as a Newham resident - your constituent, and tutor for several Newham residents (including many who are looking to take UK citizenship - to become your constituents) I would like to state my concern over this issue.

English language skills are vital for integration in this country. It should be clear to you, as a representative of one of the most ethnically and linguistically diverse areas of the country that this is vital for residents of West Ham - both those who wish to learn English and those who already speak English, or are British themselves.

Migrant workers are one of the most vulnerable sectors of the population, if they are unable to speak English it is far more likely that they can be exploited by unscrupulous employers. This will have a knock-on effect on the local population - if more people are being exploited at below the minimun wage it will be harder for all workers to earn a living wage. On a far more simplistic level the more migrant workers are able to speak English, the more money they will earn and the more tax they will pay.

As the Parliamentary Private Secretary to Communities minister Mr. Phil Woolas you will be aware that he has raised concerns over the amount of money spent on translation services and suggested that the balance should be shifted further towards English Language courses. Is it not then incoherent that this is being coupled with some of the biggest cuts to ESOL funding in recent history.

Also I note that you raised a written question over the EAL provision in Newham schools, which was answered in July of this year. Are you in agreement that for the same reasons that English as an additional language provision is vital, so is the ESOL provision offered by FE colleges.

I am writing to ask that you sign the above mentioned EDM and ask your colleagues to do the same. Your experience in Newham should make clear that role that English language learning plays in promoting community engagement, and how limiting a lack of English proficiency can be.

I await your reply with interest.

Yours Sincerely,


-Philip Bird

2 comments:

Phil Bird said...

Update,

I sent a similar letter to Jon Cruddas MP for Dagenham, where I work and he assured me that he was going to sign the EDM.

-Phil

Phil Bird said...

Jon Cruddas has signed the EDM, but Lyn Brown hasn't.