Nearly one in three schoolchildren in Glasgow do not speak English as their first language, according to new official data that highlights the city's unique demographic challenges.
Record High for English as an Additional Language
Scottish Government figures reveal that 28.8 per cent of all students in Glasgow are now recorded as having English as an additional language (EAL). This is the highest proportion anywhere in the country.
The statistics, compiled last September, show that out of 71,957 pupils in the city's schools, a total of 20,717 are EAL learners. This marks a significant increase of a third since 2019, when the figure stood at 22.5 per cent.
Scottish Conservative MSP Stephen Kerr described the statistics as "truly staggering". He warned that "this scale of demand has serious consequences for educational standards, for social cohesion and for the long-term health of our society and economy."
Pressure on the UK's 'Asylum Capital'
The educational data emerges as Glasgow contends with its status as the UK's so-called 'asylum capital'. The city houses the highest proportion of asylum seekers of any local authority, with 65 per 10,000 residents – a total of 4,023 individuals.
Furthermore, the city has reportedly begun attracting homeless refugees from other UK cities, including Belfast, Birmingham, and London. This influx is placing immense strain on local services.
City Council leader Susan Aitken warned in September that pressures could become "unbearable" due to a UK Government policy change. The decision to cut the move-on period for migrants granted asylum from 56 days to 28 days is feared to drive more people to Scotland, which guarantees a legal right to housing.
A Perfect Storm: Housing Crisis and Funding Shortfalls
The situation is creating a perfect storm for Glasgow City Council. The local authority has already warned of a £110 million shortfall in funding required for homelessness services over the next two years.
Sean Clerkin of the Scottish Tenants Organisation called for urgent intervention: "The British and Scottish Governments have got to make Glasgow a special case and give the city much more money to house everybody that needs a home including all refugees." He also urged the Home Office to introduce a fairer dispersal system to relieve pressure on the city.
In response to the figures, a spokesman for Glasgow City Council struck a positive note, stating: "Glasgow thrives as a city enriched by many different languages and cultures, and we proudly celebrate this diversity and the positive impact it brings to all our school communities."
However, council chiefs and homeless charities continue to demand more support from both the Scottish and UK governments to prevent the nation's housing emergency from worsening further.
