Nearly 800,000 Struggle with English in England and Wales – Census Reveals Shocking Language Gap
New census data exposes a startling language divide in England and Wales. Almost 800,000 people say they cannot speak English well. Even worse, nearly 138,000 admit they cannot speak it at all.
Taxpayer-Funded English Classes Soar as Migrants Struggle to Learn the Language
Freedom of Information figures reveal 168,730 migrants aged 16 and over are enrolled in taxpayer-funded English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) courses in 2024/25. That’s a jump of 44,090 in just five years.
The Department for Education has splashed out £347 million on ESOL lessons since 2018/19, excluding extra cash from devolved governments.
Syria, Bangladesh and China Lead the Struggle with English
- Nearly a third of those with limited English come from Syria.
- More than 25% of Bangladeshis admit the same.
- One in five migrants from China and Pakistan arrive unable to speak English.
- In Glasgow, one in three pupils speak a first language other than English.
Politicians Blast ‘Disgraceful’ Waste of Taxpayer Cash on ESOL
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp slammed the funding as “disgraceful.” He blasted, “The hard-pressed British taxpayer should not be footing the bill for English lessons for immigrants.”
Philp warned that failing to integrate immigrants risks isolated enclaves that threaten British values and identity.
Former Immigration Minister Kevin Foster added: “Tougher language rules might help but those gaming the asylum system aren’t deterred. Many live in communities where they don’t need English, creating division.”
Robert Bates from the Centre for Migration Control called ESOL programmes a “ridiculous waste of money” and demanded the government bar those who can’t speak English from entering.
William Yarwood of the Taxpayers’ Alliance labelled the current system “inevitable chaos” caused by lax language rules. He calls for stricter English requirements before arrival, not taxpayer-funded catch-up classes.
Migration Falls but Language Barriers Keep Rocking Communities
Net migration has nosedived from 906,000 in 2022/23 to just 204,000 projected for 2024/25. Yet, the language divide keeps growing, posing a huge challenge for communities and taxpayers across the UK.
