There are urgent calls for the Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority to rethink its decision to cut funding for English language classes for foreign nationals, says UNISON.
The move, led by Reform UK Mayor Andrea Jenkyns, will see around £1m a year diverted from specialist English teaching from 2027.
The union says the move would reduce foreign nationals’ ability to find jobs and integrate with the local community.
Research* shows people with limited English are less likely to be employed, while the UK public views language abilities as an indicator of integration.
Lincoln College found foreign language students who have strong English skills are three times more likely to be economically active than those who cannot speak the language.
UNISON East Midlands regional manager Rachel Hodson said: “These English lessons help people find work, support their families and contribute to their communities. That benefits everyone in Lincolnshire.
“People fleeing war shouldn’t be left trying to learn English from an app because their local college course has been axed.
“Speaking English is fundamental to getting on in work and it helps with community cohesion. It makes absolutely no sense to leave people on the margins of society through an inability to learn the language.
“Andrea Jenkins and the combined authority need to work with Lincolnshire’s education providers to find a solution that supports opportunity for all.”
Notes to editors:
– Research from the Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford.
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union, with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.
