ESOL Update for London: August 2025
Mayor of London GLA ESOL Newsletter
Contents
- News
- Provider spotlight
- ESOL course vacancies
- Learner progression opportunities
- ESOL Jobs and Volunteering opportunities
- Asks and offers
- Partnerships
- Training
- Events
- Resources
- Funding and tenders
- Data and research
- Feedback
- Submit an item
NEWS
-
ESOL Newsletter July
We would like to apologise for the shorter ESOL bulletin in July instead of a full issue. We hope the August issue, which is not routinely published, will furnish readers with information they may have otherwise missed.
-
New City Hall data showcases the life-changing impact of adult learning
Results from the latest London Learner Survey 2023/24 show how adult education is helping Londoners across the capital gain new skills, find better jobs and improve their wellbeing. To mark the publication, Deputy Mayor for Business & Growth, Howard Dawber posted this video message reflecting on the life-changing impact adult education is having across our city. In the video, Howard emphasises how the Mayor’s investment is helping Londoners lead healthier and happier lives through the collective efforts of our adult education providers. The survey highlights the social and economic outcomes of learners supported through the Adult Education Budget – now known as the Adult Skills Fund. Last year, nearly all of the 200,000 learners who engaged in GLA-funded adult education in London experienced an improvement in their health and wellbeing. The Mayor’s funding has helped more than 77,000 Londoners move into new or better paid work and progress onto further learning at higher levels. Those who progressed in work saw their earnings rise by 9%, with many of these vacancies in sectors key to London’s growth. To learn more about the outcomes of learning in London, by level or learner demographics, access the full report on the London datastore. Find out more.
-
Mayor’s London Growth Plan
We are pleased to share that we received over 80 written responses to the consultation on the Inclusive Talent Strategy. The strategy will sit alongside the Mayor’s London Growth Plan and set out how we will put people at the heart of London’s growth. Over the past two months, we have held over 100 in person engagements, speaking directly to Londoners and stakeholders. This has included workshops and roundtables with employers, skills and employment support providers, local authorities, and Londoners with lived experience of barriers to work. We have also spoken to young people, disabled people, and underrepresented groups. Thank you to everyone who contributed their insights and ideas so far – your input is vital to ensuring the strategy is bold, inclusive and practical. To make sure every Londoner can take part, accessible versions of the Inclusive Talent Strategy (ITS) consultation documents will be available in Easy Read and British Sign Language (BSL) formats from the 1 August until the 31 August. BSL users will be able to respond via an interpreted session, and we will be offering appropriate support to help learning disabled Londoners take part in the consultation. Register interest. Find out more.
-
Home Office extend ‘Move On’ period for asylum support leavers to 56 days – pilot extended until December 2025
On 9 December 2024, the Home Office announced an increase to the ‘Move On’ period for newly granted refugees, from 28 to 56 days from the point the asylum decision letter is issued. Originally expected to run as a pilot measure until June 2025, the Home Office has confirmed that the measure will remain in place as a pilot until December 2025. This will allow the impact of the pilot to be fully assessed and maintain support for councils and newly granted refugees during this period of increased decision making. The independent evaluation of ‘Move On’ is ongoing and due to conclude later this summer. The evaluation will inform future decisions on the ‘Move On’ initiatives including the extended grace period. For queries regarding this update, please email: AsylumMoveOnOperations@homeoffice.gov.uk
PROVIDER SPOTLIGHT
-
High Trees
Find out how High Trees Community Development Trust is supporting over 200 learners each year to improve their English, build confidence, and participate more fully in local life. Many of the learners they support face multiple barriers to mainstream education, particularly those in low-paid, insecure employment.
You can read more case studies on our webpage and submit your own.