Reform UK Council Leader Considers Ending Migrant English Lessons

Kent County Council, now under the leadership of Reform UK, is considering the drastic step of eliminating English language classes for immigrants as part of a new cost-cutting initiative. The suggestion, put forth by Council Leader Linden Kemkaran, aims to assess the "value for money" of these crucial educational programs.

Councillor Kemkaran, representing Maidstone South East, indicated that language learning applications such as Duolingo could serve as a more economical alternative for immigrants to acquire English proficiency. This proposal emerges as Reform UK-led councils across the country signal their intent to adopt a cost-cutting model inspired by the US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

The idea to review the English language classes reportedly stemmed from discussions between Councillor Kemkaran and Beverley Fordham, her cabinet member for education and skills. The push for efficiency and cost reduction at Kent County Council has been a prominent theme since the Reform UK leadership took the helm.

In related developments, the council's recently appointed "chief reform officer," Yusuf, who was central to the "DOGE" initiative, dramatically resigned last night. Yusuf had earlier appeared at County Hall in Maidstone with Councillor Kemkaran and tech entrepreneur Nathaniel Fried. Fried confirmed Yusuf's departure, stating on social media, "I have absolute confidence that the Reform Doge will succeed without me."

Commenting on Yusuf's resignation, Councillor Rich Lehmann, leader of the Green Group at KCC, described the situation as "chaos." Speaking to KentOnline, Lehmann noted, "This bizarre and unexpected move feels like it could go one of two ways." He further suggested that Yusuf, despite being an unelected bureaucrat, appeared to be "very much running things at KCC instead of the locally elected representatives," citing instances where controversial policies and announcements, including the "DOGE" initiative, first appeared on Yusuf's social media feed.

The potential cessation of English language classes is likely to spark debate regarding its impact on immigrant integration and community cohesion within Kent. The council's full review of these programs, and any subsequent decisions, will be closely watched.