People who claim jobseeker’s allowance but lack English skills
will be strongly encouraged to take language classes, welfare
reform minister Jim Murphy said today in a speech to think-tank the
Work Foundation.
From April, Jobcentre Plus will incorporate improving language
skills for those who lack them into jobseekers agreements, which
all
jobseeker's allowance claimants must sign.
Murphy said current uptake of language courses for job seekers
with language difficulties was poor, amid evidence that it was a
barrier to work for 40,000 people.
The welfare reform minister said: “We need to raise our game in
matching those with poor language skills to the training they need
in order not just to work, but to progress in work and gain
sustainable employment.”
