By Guiseppe Dr Santis
The cost to British taxpayers for supporting students who do not speak English as a first language continues to climb, according to the latest figures.
In some cases, schools are receiving up to £700,000 each to accommodate pupils who speak English as an additional language (EAL). Department for Education (DfE) data reveals that two schools, one in Manchester and another in Northampton, collected at least £500,000 this year to fund translators, bilingual teaching assistants, and specialized support materials.
Critically, this funding is not “ring-fenced.” Instead, it is integrated into a school’s general budget, with local councils noting that the funds can be spent on almost any educational requirement.
Rising Costs and Record Totals
Nationally, schools were allocated a record £539 million this year to support EAL pupils. Projections for the 2026-27 academic year show this figure rising to £572 million. This represents a total increase of £157 million since modern records began in 2020.
Critics argue these rising costs are a direct result of record-high immigration levels. DfE statistics highlight a significant shift in demographics: in certain regions, English is no longer the primary language for the majority of students. In Newham, East London, for example, two-thirds of children speak a language other than English at home.
Concerns for the “Left Behind”
Chris McGovern, of the Campaign for Real Education, argues that policymakers are focusing on the wrong demographics. He suggests that while language skills are necessary, they should be addressed before children enter the mainstream school system.
We obsess about it far too much; we need to worry about the white working-class kids,” McGovern stated. “Of course children who don’t have the requisite English language skills need to be assimilated, but that should come before they enter the school system.”
Other campaigners have echoed this sentiment, calling for funding to be redirected toward white working-class children, who they claim are being ignored. Statistics show that only one in five white working-class pupils achieve a passing grade in English and Maths, compared to a national average of 45.4%.
McGovern proposed that local authorities establish special centers to provide intensive English courses to children before they join regular classes. He noted that EAL students are often “the education system’s biggest success story,” while white working-class children consistently perform the worst and require more targeted literacy and numeracy support.
Defining the Need
The DfE defines EAL pupils as those who have been “exposed to a language other than English during early development” and continue to use that language at home. This classification includes children born in Britain who may already be proficient in English but still qualify the school for extra funding.
The 2024/25 school census shows that 1.8 million pupils, roughly one in five, do not have English as their first language. This is a significant increase from 1.2 million just a decade ago.
Top Funding Recipients (2025/26)
Manchester Academy Moss Side, Manchester £670,000+
Northampton International Academy Northampton £517,287
St Claudine’s Catholic School for Girls Brent, London £459,659
EAL funding primarily covers the salaries of specialist teachers, bilingual assistants, and interpreters for parent-teacher consultations. Recent job advertisements show a high demand for staff fluent in Romanian, Arabic, and Polish.
The British Democrats argue that this expenditure is unacceptable and claim that the political class have failed to address the underlying issues.
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