This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/6380867.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Calls for migrants English debate | Calls for migrants English debate |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| People who are seeking to come to the UK to work or to join a spouse already living here should be required to learn English, an expert body says. | |
| The Commission on Integration and Cohesion says language is the single largest barrier to community relations. | The Commission on Integration and Cohesion says language is the single largest barrier to community relations. |
| The government set up the body to review how well the UK was integrating people from diverse backgrounds. | The government set up the body to review how well the UK was integrating people from diverse backgrounds. |
| In its interim report, the commission said it would advise councils when to stop offering translation services. | In its interim report, the commission said it would advise councils when to stop offering translation services. |
| Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly set up the Commission last summer amid pressure over multiculturalism and claims that not enough had been done to tackle issues raised by the July 2005 London bombings. | Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly set up the Commission last summer amid pressure over multiculturalism and claims that not enough had been done to tackle issues raised by the July 2005 London bombings. |
| If you can't speak English, you are on a path to isolation and separation Commission chair Darra Singh The commission was asked to come up with policies to help make an increasingly diverse society more cohesive. | If you can't speak English, you are on a path to isolation and separation Commission chair Darra Singh The commission was asked to come up with policies to help make an increasingly diverse society more cohesive. |
| In its interim report, the commission asks whether enough is being done to ensure that the correct first steps are taken to integrate two key groups into British society: foreign migrant workers and spouses. | In its interim report, the commission asks whether enough is being done to ensure that the correct first steps are taken to integrate two key groups into British society: foreign migrant workers and spouses. |
| If people do not speak any English on coming to the UK, the commission says ministers should consider changing immigration rules to ensure they have some command of the language before being allowed to come as a worker or through marriage. | If people do not speak any English on coming to the UK, the commission says ministers should consider changing immigration rules to ensure they have some command of the language before being allowed to come as a worker or through marriage. |
| 'Translation no substitute' | 'Translation no substitute' |
| Darra Singh, chairman of the commission, said: "Learning English is clearly the responsibility of the individual, but local authorities, central government and employers have a key role in supporting migrants to improve their language skills." | Darra Singh, chairman of the commission, said: "Learning English is clearly the responsibility of the individual, but local authorities, central government and employers have a key role in supporting migrants to improve their language skills." |
| INTEGRATION COMMISSION: KEY AIMS Examine why tension growsHelp politicians break down barriersStudy how communities tackle extremismResearch strong and successful communities The cost in translation The UK's ties that bind "Translation should never be a substitute for learning English in the first place. | INTEGRATION COMMISSION: KEY AIMS Examine why tension growsHelp politicians break down barriersStudy how communities tackle extremismResearch strong and successful communities The cost in translation The UK's ties that bind "Translation should never be a substitute for learning English in the first place. |
| "Just as mastering reading and writing for school children opens up the rest of the curriculum, mastering English opens up participation in British society and accessing employment. | "Just as mastering reading and writing for school children opens up the rest of the curriculum, mastering English opens up participation in British society and accessing employment. |
| "If you can't speak English - whether you are a new migrant or someone who has lived here for years - you are on a path to isolation and separation. | "If you can't speak English - whether you are a new migrant or someone who has lived here for years - you are on a path to isolation and separation. |
| "It is less of a problem for second, third, fourth generations," he said. "Language support offered to spouses from abroad is therefore of real interest - should we be asking whether they should speak English before they get here?" | "It is less of a problem for second, third, fourth generations," he said. "Language support offered to spouses from abroad is therefore of real interest - should we be asking whether they should speak English before they get here?" |
| Under current proposals, only migrants who are unemployed or on benefits will qualify for free English lessons from September. But critics predict a huge number of foreign workers in low-skilled minimum wage jobs will not be able to afford to take classes. The government also proposes to cut benefits to those who cannot prove they are learning English. | Under current proposals, only migrants who are unemployed or on benefits will qualify for free English lessons from September. But critics predict a huge number of foreign workers in low-skilled minimum wage jobs will not be able to afford to take classes. The government also proposes to cut benefits to those who cannot prove they are learning English. |
| 'Better balance' | 'Better balance' |
| A spokesman for the Department for Communities and Local Government said it would respond fully to the commission's recommendations once the final report is produced in the summer. | A spokesman for the Department for Communities and Local Government said it would respond fully to the commission's recommendations once the final report is produced in the summer. |
| "As we have said before, there are instances where it makes sense to translate certain materials in order to ensure that people are able to access certain vital information," said the spokesman. | "As we have said before, there are instances where it makes sense to translate certain materials in order to ensure that people are able to access certain vital information," said the spokesman. |
| "However, there is a need to strike a better balance so that translation does not become a barrier to learning English. | "However, there is a need to strike a better balance so that translation does not become a barrier to learning English. |
| "The guidance that the Commission are planning to produce will help local authorities in getting this balance right." | "The guidance that the Commission are planning to produce will help local authorities in getting this balance right." |
| The commission's final months of work ahead of its June report will focus on finding examples of local communities that have overcome some of the problems of integration so that their experiences can be repeated elsewhere. | The commission's final months of work ahead of its June report will focus on finding examples of local communities that have overcome some of the problems of integration so that their experiences can be repeated elsewhere. |