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Campaigning and lobbying

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Campaigning for the UK's English language teaching industry 

We campaign on behalf of the UK ELT industry for policies that will help the sector to compete and thrive globally. 

We are the world's most popular ELT destination but slipped from 2nd to 3rd place (behind Australia and the USA) for volume as we attract more short-stay teens and fewer adults.

Research published by Pragmatix Advisory in April 2025 demonstrated that in 2024 the sector created almost £2 billion of added value to the UK economy (with £1.8 billion added to UK finances in 2024), and supported over 40,000 jobs all over the UK.

Our current campaigning work

Our six policy recommendations cost little to implement, and will help UK English language teaching thrive and reap benefits, including increased exports, jobs, gross added value and closer international relationships.

1. Expand career-enhancing travel opportunities for young people via YMS

2. Extend ID card travel for EU school groups 

3. Recognise UK ELT's accreditation scheme for Student visas

4. Better support for the growth of UK ELT

5. Increase rent-a-room tax relief to preserve UK ELT's unique offer

6. Create a reciprocal exchange programme for young professionals

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Supporting our campaigning with robust evidence

We recently commissioned Pragmatix Advisory to examine and assess the economics of the UK English language teaching sector and published the report in April 2025.

Download our new economic impact report: Examining the economics of the English language teaching industry.

We monitor source market trends by collecting data from our 300+ member centres quarterly and annually with our insight partner ESOMAR member, BONARD. 

> Find more facts and figures about UK ELT

Our Covid-19 impact report Members Corporate members published in March 2021 estimated that English UK member centres lost £590m in gross revenue overall in 2020. 91% of UK ELT jobs were affected, with 54% of the workforce released and an additional 18% of staff furloughed.

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How do we campaign?

Our small public affairs team, supported by an external relations advisory group of member centres and an external lobbying company works to create the optimum operating environment for UK ELT. 

We regularly seek member support for our campaigning work. Our approaches include: 

  • direct contacts with government officials, MPs and peers

  • membership of official panels, such as the Education Sector Advisory Group

  • orchestrating member campaigns including letter-writing campaigns to MPs and others: elected representatives always prioritise constituents' needs (we have a member campaigning resources page to support with this)

  • working with our public affairs advisors to get issues raised and attempt to change legislation via carefully targeted MPs and members of the House of Lords

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What successes have we had?

Wins include the organised group travel using ID cards scheme for French school group, the expansion of the YMS in late 2023 and confirmation of the VAT exemption for EFL tuition fees in late 2024.

We also succeeded after long campaigns in getting study included on the more flexible six-month visa, and for students to be allowed to apply for follow-on visas without leaving the UK. ID card travel was extended for nine months after the end of the Brexit transition period after extensive lobbying of MPs and the Home Office. 

Most English UK members in England received CARF additional funding in spring and summer of 2022 from their local councils at 20-100% of the full amount available. This followed extensive lobbying which resulted in a government minister highlighting the needs of the ELT sector during a House of Lords debate.

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Get in touch

Contact our public affairs and lobbying team on publicaffairs@englishuk.com.