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Government confirms support for unemployed learners

31/08/2011

Government confirms support for unemployed learners

The Skills Funding Agency (SFA) has confirmed that all unemployed learners, including those on English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) courses, who are both on an income related benefit and seeking work will continue to be fully funded in 2011/ 2012.

The statement was made in response to a request from the Association of College for greater clarity on the government's stance. The SFA said: "The Agency has received a number of requests for clarification following the announcement of increased flexibility for state benefit claimants, who are unemployed and need skills training to help them enter work.

"The Agency confirms that all learners in this group will be eligible for full funding, at the discretion of the provider. This provides the flexibility for the same range of learning aims available to those in receipt of Job Seeker's Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance (Work Related Activity Group), including ESOL."