The Scottish Government

This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007

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£2 million for English language classes

19/02/2003

Refugees and asylum seekers are to receive more help in learning English, it was announced today.

Further Education Colleges are to get an extra £2 million this year to provide language classes.

This money is in addition to the £1.7 million colleges already received for this type of work, and is part of the Executive's response to a report by the Scottish Refugee Integration Forum (SRIF).

SRIF today published an Action Plan that sets out a number of recommendations to help asylum seekers and refugees integrate into Scottish life.

It was welcomed by Margaret Curran, Minister for Social Justice, who outlined the funding package which will help implement the recommendations.

As well as funding English classes, the package also includes:

• £360,000 for the Scottish Refugee Council (SRC) for 2003/04
• £400,000 to promote integration, including projects to tackle racist behaviour among young people
• £10,000 to fund training for advice workers in asylum and immigration law

Margaret Curran said:

"The Executive is committed to fostering inclusive communities and to celebrating the positive aspects of Scotland's multi-cultural society. We must make the most of all our talent and ensure that Scotland is a welcoming place for people from all cultures, nationalities and backgrounds.

"SRIF's Action Plan contains many practical recommendations that will be implemented within a relatively short time scale. Although most of the Forum's work has concentrated on Glasgow, this Action Plan can be applied to any area where asylum seekers or refugees settle."

Lifelong Learning Minister Iain Gray said he was delighted to contribute a further £2 million towards language courses for asylum seekers at further education institutions.

"Language courses will help improve asylum seekers' lives allowing them to better integrate into their communities and participate more fully in Scottish society."

Sally Daghlian, Chief Executive of the Scottish Refugee Council, said:

"Refugees bring skills and energy which can boost the Scottish economy and contribute to our cultural life. This plan will help ensure that refugees are welcomed and enabled to play an active part in their new communities.

"Refugees and asylum seekers come here fleeing persecution and have a right to be in the UK under international law. The latest figures from Glasgow City Council show that in Scotland, over 80% of asylum seekers whose cases have been decided have been given the right to remain here as refugees. Today's asylum seeker is tomorrow's Scottish citizen. The Scottish Executive is right to recognise this and to pave the way for the integration of refugees into Scottish society."

Below are a few of the 57 recommendations contained in the SRIF Action Plan:

• statistical and tracking information about the asylum seeker and refugee communities in Scotland should be gathered at a national and local level.
• a national certification body for interpreters and translators should be established.
• a pathfinder project should be designed and developed in Glasgow to ensure all people have access to independent support, advice and advocacy, to enable them to access appropriate housing.
• The Executive and local authorities need to ensure that all Children's Services Plans take account of the specific issues facing asylum seekers and refugees.

The SRIF was established in January 2002, with an expected lifespan of 18 months. Its remit is, in partnership with the Scottish Executive and in consultation with the wider public and voluntary sector interests, to develop action plans to enable the successful integration of refugees in Scotland and the provision of more accessible, co-ordinated and good quality services.

The SRIF is chaired by Margaret Curran, Minister for Social Justice. The membership of the Forum is as follows: