Mayor considers scrapping English language lessons

The mayor of Lincolnshire is considering scrapping English lessons for foreign nationals.

Dame Andrea Jenkyns said the £1m budget should be used on a "scheme which focuses on literacy and numeracy to upskill everybody".

Funding is currently controlled by the Department for Education, but is to be transferred to the Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority (GLCCA) as part of the government devolution deal.

Dame Andrea said: "This money is far better spent across the county where everybody can access literacy."

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the mayor told a GLCCA meeting: "I think we need a more inclusive scheme which actually goes to the Lincolnshire people.

"We've got to upskill them because they are left behind, very sadly.

"As a combined authority I think it would be wonderful to have a scheme which focuses on literacy and numeracy to upskill everybody.

"I say if you come to another country, you'd be expected to learn the language.

"Why should the British taxpayer foot the bill?

"We're not going to get much more from the government. I think that's a given so we need to look for private investment.

"It's got to come to a stage where we draw a line."

Dame Andrea said the GLCCA would create a more "inclusive environment" by meeting the needs of non-English speakers through an alternative literacy provision.

Jackie Brockway, Conservative leader of West Lindsey District Council, told the meeting she wanted more detail on the £1m funding before giving her support.

"I really want to be sure that removing this will not remove the funding," she said.

"If that million pounds is going to be taken back then we may as well use it."

Listen to highlights fromLincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch thelatest episode of Look Northor tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.

Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices