Neoliberal Governments, ESOL Provision and Wider Implications

ABSTRACT This article questions the perceived optimism regarding a new centrist left‐wing ‘United Kingdom (UK) government’ stance on English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) provision. It examines the impact of neoliberal policies, particularly those of the New Labour government (1997–2010), and compares them with previous/subsequent Conservative governments (1979–1997; 2010–2024). Through secondary analysis, this paper illustrates how successive governments have viewed ESOL as a tool of immigration control, cutting funding access and escalating educational opportunity disparities, especially for ESOL learners. Additionally, rising global populism further threatens equitable ESOL provision through exclusionary policies.