REFORM mayor Andrea Jenkyns’ plans to scrap publicly funded English language courses for not helping “native Lincolnshire people” were slammed as vindictive by the University and College Union today.

The Greater Lincolnshire mayor’s proposals to withdraw funding for English for speakers of other languages provision from August 2027 were set to be approved at a combined authority meeting last night.

Council papers show plans for reintroducing a three-year residency rule for learners to receive free or subsidised courses in August this year, with commitments to designing a “new literacy qualification” to help adults into employment.

UCU general secretary Jo Grady warned the “attack on community cohesion and integration” will cause serious harm across Lincolnshire.

“It is yet another example of Reform using migrants as a political football to enflame division and hatred,” she added. 

Almost three-quarters of 375 people and organisations that responded to a consultation disagreed or strongly disagreed with the proposals.