Compliments welcome but action is needed to protect ESOL courses, says UCU

UCU was responding to the education secretary's speech at the annual conference of the Association of Colleges in Birmingham.

UCU joint general secretary, Paul Mackney, said: 'College lecturers will have appreciated the favourable comments from the education secretary about the many recent achievements in FE. Alan Johnson could charm his way out of a plane crash. However, the government is ignoring the needs of adults, especially those wanting to study ESOL - English as a second language. This view has had a special resonance amongst many college principals here at the conference.

'The increasing business focus of funding for adult education is in danger of ignoring community needs. "Social inclusion" seems to have been replaced by "international globalised competitiveness". Many of us want a rethink.'