The Skills Funding Agency confirmed this week that all ESOL learners who are in receipt of a state benefit and actively seeking work could be eligible for full funding, irrespective of whether they are in receipt of work related benefits or income related benefits.

The clarification is good news for the College or North West London and gives a number of ESOL providers across the country the opportunity to use the flexibility the government has granted to support the most disadvantaged and vulnerable of learners.

It means that many women who were attending ESOL courses last year can return and progress on to the next level. It means that many refugees who are only in need of English language skills to unlock their skills and enter the job market will get that chance.

However some questions remain. What about those learners in part time or low paid employment, who cannot declare that they are actively seeking work? Also, how will colleges achieve their fee income targets? If the Skills Funding Agency gives colleges flexibility on fees, and ESOL learners are effectively subsidised by income from other learners’ fees, the providers may lose out in the long term.

Cath King, Head of Faculty for Skills for Life, said: “We are very pleased with this news after what has been a worrying summer wondering what the Government were going to do next.

“This is the boost we needed at the start of term, there are still a lot of unanswered questions, but at least we can now start building a learning programme to incorporate these students who may have been lost had the Government not reversed their decisions.”

According to an Association of Colleges survey conducted in January 21% of students access employment as a direct result of ESOL courses.