I propose to take Questions Nos. 429 and 430 together.
The information sought by the Deputy is set out in the following table with regard to English language schools listed on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP).
Year
|
Providers removed
|
Providers readmitted
|
Refused readmission
|
Compliance inspections
|
2016
|
2
|
|
1
|
10
|
2017
|
0
|
|
|
1
|
2018
|
5
|
1
|
|
13
|
2019
|
2
|
|
|
15
|
2020
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
7
|
2021
|
1
|
|
|
0
|
2022
|
1
|
|
|
2
|
2023
|
5
|
|
|
3
|
The Deputy may wish to note that providers are removed from the ILEP for a number of reasons: at the request of the provider; where a provider closes or ceases to offer programmes; identified cases of non-compliance with set criteria and requirements. Few providers apply for readmission.
It was necessary to halt inspections of English language schools when the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions were introduced. Other methods of investigating and monitoring compliance were developed which are still used, including spot-checks of compliance and requests for records to gather data to evaluate providers’ compliance with ILEP criteria and immigration requirements.