Details of funding provided for ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) provision: FOI release

Information requested

1. What amount of funding did the Scottish Government provide to the organisation ESOL Scotland for the delivery of ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) provision delivered online during the financial year 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026?

2. Was this funding extended beyond 31 March 2026? If so, please provide details of the duration of the extension and the total amount of funding allocated.

3. During the same financial year (1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026), did the Scottish Government provide funding to any other organisations for ESOL provision (either online or in person)? If so, please provide:

• the names of the organisations,
• the amounts awarded,
• and the purpose or nature of the provision funded.

Response

Question 1

The answer to your question is that the Scottish Government Community Learning and Development team provided £200,000 to ESOL Scotland for an online ESOL pilot in the financial year 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026.

Question 2

The answer to your question is that funding has not been committed beyond 31 March 2026. Future funding decisions will be for the next administration to make following the Scottish Parliamentary Election on 7 May 2026.

Question 3

The answer to your question has been provided below:

Scottish Funding Council - £747,200
Scottish Government funding distributed to Glasgow Clyde College, Glasgow Kelvin College, City of Glasgow College, ESOL Scotland, Glasgow Life and the Workers' Educational Association to address demonstrable pressures and increasing levels of need for ESOL provision in Glasgow.

Amina the Muslim Women’s Resource Centre - £73,500
Funding through the ‘Children, Young People, Families Early Intervention and Adult Learning and Empowering Communities’ (CYPFEIF & ALEC) fund. Funding supports Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) and Muslim women, including those who have experienced gender based violence, to access local support services, build stronger connections, increase confidence and improve wellbeing as well as mental health. This includes support to access ESOL provision.

ESOL Scotland (previously Glasgow ESOL Forum Limited) - £131,250
Funding through the CYPFEIF & ALEC fund that supports access to ESOL provision and wider learning and development opportunities in Glasgow.

LINKNet Mentoring Ltd - £10,500
Funding through the CYPFEIF & ALEC fund that supports access to mentoring opportunities for Ethnic minority participants in the Edinburgh and the Lothians to increase employment, access wider learning and pursue personal development goals. Funding also supports access to ESOL provision.

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