Consultation response: Justice and Home Affairs Committee Inquiry into Settlement, Citizenship and Integration

The Bell Foundation submitted the following response to the Justice and Home Affairs Committee Inquiry into Settlement, Citizenship and Integration in January 2026.

The response argues that access to high-quality English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) provision is essential for enabling people to participate fully in education, employment, and civic life.

Drawing on Census data, education research and international evidence, the Foundation argues that limited English proficiency is not confined to recent migrants and that integration is a long-term process shaped by access to learning opportunities and support. The response highlights increasing linguistic diversity across schools and communities, alongside significant pressures on ESOL funding and provision.

The Foundation calls for greater investment in accessible, high-quality English language education, including provision tailored to employment and professional skills. It warns that blanket English language requirements risk disadvantaging some groups and argues instead for policies that expand opportunities to learn English after arrival in the UK.

The submission explains that stronger English language support would help to:

• improve social cohesion
• reduce barriers to participation
• unlock economic contributions from migrants and multilingual communities