The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills has announced plans to focus funding for English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) on community cohesion.

A new consultation paper says the aim is to target funding on “long-term residents committed to making a contribution to Britain who cannot engage with other people in their neighbourhoods—let alone play an active role in their communities—simply because their lack of English prevents it,” and invites suggestions as to how best this can be done.

The initial list of priority groups includes both refugees and asylum seekers who are still in the country beyond six months awaiting a decision on their status or cannot return home.

The closing date for the consultation is 4 April 2008.