The UK has a proud history of granting asylum to those who need our protection. Between April 2014 and June 2017, the Home Office received 97,454 claims for asylum and decided over 64,000 of these within 6 months. English language funding is vital for ensuring that refugees can integrate into British society.
I am glad that local authorities which settle refugee families under the Vulnerable Person Relocation Scheme or the Vulnerable Children's Relocation Scheme are already required to ensure that these families receive English language support. £10 million in funding has been provided through to 2021 to enable local authorities to make more English language tuition available.
The Scottish Borders has welcomed multiple families to the area as part of the Syrian Vulnerable Person Scheme. I welcome the help provided to them by the UK Government, Scottish Borders Council and the many volunteer organisations who try to help integration.
