Nearly 1M Migrants Struggle with English Amid Integration Concerns

Nearly one million migrants in Britain struggle with English, with new figures revealing that many cannot speak the language fluently—or at all.

Data provided to the Conservatives by the UK Statistics Authority last month shows that around 150,000 migrants have no English skills whatsoever.

While most over-16s from abroad can speak English—51.6% stating it is their main language—over 930,000 face difficulties.

According to The Sun, 8.6% (794,332 people) say they "cannot speak English well," while 1.4% (137,876) are unable to speak it at all, fueling concerns over integration efforts.

Reacting to the figures, Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp expressed disbelief, stating: "It’s shocking that so many people in the country can’t speak English. Labour must get immigration under control—and fast."

Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe, a vocal critic of migrants’ lack of English proficiency, strongly condemned the issue after it was revealed that 865,299 calls to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) last year required an interpreter.

Lowe argued on social media: "If you can’t speak English, the answer is no—you shouldn’t get benefits. How can these individuals ever contribute to our economy or society? Frankly, why were they granted visas in the first place?"

"Why have we allowed such huge numbers of foreign nationals into the country who can't speak our language and can't fund themselves?

"What about those with a British passport, living in England, who can't speak English? That's an entirely different debate... One which needs to be had," he added.

Sir Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch have both frequently blamed previous Tory Governments for migration problems.

The Prime Minister accused the Conservatives of conducting a "one-nation experiment in open borders" in a stinging speech from Downing Street in late November.

"A failure on this scale isn't just bad luck. It isn't a global trend, or taking your eye off the ball," he said.

"No. This a different order of failure. This happened by design, not accident. Policies were reformed, deliberately, to liberalise immigration.

"Brexit was used for that purpose: to turn Britain into a one-nation experiment in open borders."

The Prime Minister has also vowed to cut soaring net migration by requiring employers to train more home-grown workers rather than hiring from abroad - and is set to unveil a blueprint to cut arrivals in the coming months.