Integration starts with language: why cutting ESOL funding is a false economy 

In a recent FE Week article, our Adult Learning Principal and CEO, Dipa Ganguli OBE, shared her concerns about proposals to cut ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) funding. In that piece, she explained why reducing support for learners would harm not just individuals but also the wider community and economy. 

This blog post reflects on some of the key themes raised in her article, highlighting the importance of English language learning to WM College’s mission and the communities we serve in and around North London. 

Why English matters for integration 

Learning English is about more than vocabulary and grammar. It’s about: 

• Employment and skills – English enables people to find work, retrain in shortage sectors like health and social care, and contribute to the labour market. 

• Education and families – Parents who learn English can support their children’s education, communicate with teachers, and navigate school life. 

• Community cohesion – English builds trust between neighbours, reduces misunderstanding, and fosters inclusion. 

Without access to language education, newcomers risk isolation, while communities lose the benefits of their contribution. 

The reality of ESOL funding 

Funding for ESOL has already fallen by 25% in real terms since 2010, despite high and consistent demand. 

• In 2022/23, there were 150,000 ESOL places funded in England, the highest in a decade – but still nowhere near enough to meet need. 

• Provision is often concentrated in large cities, leaving learners in smaller towns and communities underserved. 

• Waiting lists remain long, and many learners are turned away simply because places are not available. 

Further cuts would mean classes shutting down at colleges like WM College, longer waiting lists, and people eager to learn English being told there is no space for them. 

ESOL as an economic investment 

It is important to stress that ESOL is not just a social good – it is also an economic investment. 

Research from the Learning and Work Institute shows that: 

• Every £1 spent on ESOL generates multiple pounds in return through higher productivity, greater earnings, and increased tax contributions. 

• Migrants with strong English skills are more likely to work, less likely to rely on benefits, and more able to fill skills shortages in critical sectors such as health, engineering, and education. 

As Dipa Ganguli OBE writes in FE Week: 

“Language is not a luxury – it’s the foundation of integration, community cohesion, and opportunity. Cutting ESOL is a false economy.” 

WM College’s role in supporting ESOL learners 

WM College has a long history of supporting adult learners from diverse backgrounds. Every year, our ESOL programmes: 

• Provide pathways into employment and further education. 

• Support parents to engage in their children’s learning. 

• Strengthen community bonds by helping people connect through shared language. 

We know first-hand the life-changing impact that ESOL can have. Behind every class is a story of someone gaining confidence, independence, and the ability to fully participate in society. 

Looking ahead 

Integration cannot happen without communication, and communication requires investment in language education. England lags behind other countries – such as Scotland and Sweden – that offer stronger, nationally coordinated approaches to ESOL and integration. 

If we want communities that are cohesive, resilient, and economically thriving, we must ensure ESOL remains a priority. 
 
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Find out more about WM College’s ESOL offer here.