UK Anti-Immigration Protests Target English Classes, ESOL Branded a ‘Risk to Children’

Published on: 21 Dec 2025 at 12:54 PM

Published by: Gill Bikram

UK Anti-Immigration Protests Target English Classes, ESOL Branded a ‘Risk to Children’

London | December 21, 2025

English language classes for migrants in the United Kingdom have come under growing attack from anti-immigration groups, turning what was once a community integration effort into a flashpoint of political and social controversy. English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) programmes—run in schools and community centres—are now being openly targeted through protests, online campaigns, and funding cuts.

After weeks of demonstrations outside refugee hotels, anti-immigration activists have shifted their focus to ESOL classes held in educational settings. On November 24, protesters gathered outside a primary school in Glasgow where ESOL lessons were being conducted for parents of school-going children. Holding placards with slogans such as “Protect Our Children,” demonstrators claimed—without evidence—that these classes posed a threat to child safety.

Vigilante Groups Fuel Fear Campaigns

The protest gained traction online after being promoted by a self-styled vigilante organisation known as the Spartan Child Protection Team, which describes itself as a group of “paedophile hunters.” The same group had earlier circulated online complaints about an ESOL class operating near a primary school in Renfrew. Following the backlash, Renfrewshire Council suspended those classes, citing safety concerns.

Glasgow City Council, however, took a firm stand after the protest at Dalmarnock Primary School. In a strongly worded statement, the council said it would not tolerate “racism or extremism of any kind,” describing the campaign against ESOL as “misleading and toxic.” It warned that visits by external vigilante groups to schools, attempts to spread fear, and the risk of inciting violence were “completely unacceptable.”

ESOL Funding Also Under Threat

Beyond protests, ESOL programmes are facing financial pressure. Earlier this month, Reform Party mayor of Greater Lincolnshire, Andrea Jenkyns, received legal approval to withdraw ESOL funding in the region. She argued that public funds should be prioritised for “the people of Lincolnshire,” raising alarm about the future of language education nationwide.

ESOL has been politically contentious for more than a decade. During former Prime Minister David Cameron’s Conservative government, English proficiency was promoted as a key measure of “integration.” However, between 2009 and 2011, ESOL funding was cut by 32%. Critics say these policies unfairly stigmatised migrants—particularly Muslim women—and framed language classes as tools of counter-terrorism rather than inclusion.

Labour Government Policy Under Scrutiny

The issue has continued under the current Labour government. Its May 2025 Immigration White Paper emphasised stricter English language requirements for visas and permanent residency. While the policy stresses language proficiency, experts argue that it lacks a clear plan to expand resources or protect ESOL provision, especially amid rising hostility.

In response to the growing attacks, ESOL teachers and social workers are mobilising through platforms such as Educators for All, speaking out against what they describe as “racist campaigns” targeting schools, particularly in Scotland.

Warnings Over Social Cohesion

Experts warn that if ESOL remains trapped in political battles and driven by fear and misinformation, the consequences could be severe. Migrants and refugees would be the immediate victims, but the broader damage would be to social cohesion, integration, and public trust.

As tensions rise, local authorities and educators argue that teaching English should remain a bridge to inclusion—not a battleground for ideological conflict.