In recent years, the UK has seen a notable inflow of migration following geopolitical events in Ukraine, Afghanistan, and Hong Kong, with net migration reaching 672,000 between June 2022 and 2023. In response, the UK Government has launched new resettlement schemes for arrivals from Ukraine and Afghanistan, as well as visas for Hong Kong British Nationals (Overseas). 2022 also saw a significant increase in overall applications for asylum, reaching the highest number since 2002.
As these migrant communities arrive and begin to settle in the UK, it is important we support them to access education and training, not only for social integration, but to unlock their skills, talent and potential that can both improve their own wellbeing and contribute to the economic growth and competitiveness of the national economy.
The Adult Education Budget (AEB) plays a pivotal role in the provision of adult skills programmes for migrant communities. With an annual allocation of approximately £1.5 billion (although this figure has declined by nearly 50% in the last decade), the AEB funds a diverse range of learning opportunities for individuals aged 19 and above, including adult community education. While many migrants will use this funding to learn English through ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) classes, the AEB is equally important for widening access to training in other key areas, such as maths and digital skills.
