Timber Floor Au

Blunkett: Immigrants Must Learn English



Immigrants taking British citizenship will have to reach a minimum standard of English in future


Immigrants who want to become British citizens will have to reach a minimum standard in English language, Home Secretary David Blunkett has announced.

People who take part in the Government's new citizenship ceremonies - introduced last year - will have to attain stage three of an internationally recognised scale.

Applicants will have to read and write to a certain standard, and also speak and understand English in a variety of formal and informal situations.

Mr Blunkett has expressed his desire to increase a sense of identity for people taking British nationality - and further announcements will be made regarding his planned "Britishness test" in the autumn.

People who take these citizenship classes may not be required to reach the same level of proficiency in English, a Home Office spokeswoman said.





The requirement will come into force in 21 days - and people who can afford language lessons will be expected to pay for their classes, although a number of free English courses already exist, she added.

It marked a departure from a recommendation of the panel appointed by Mr Blunkett to look at citizenship issues last year.

The experts, led by Professor Sir Bernard Crick, rejected the idea that all applicants should meet minimum standards, instead proposing they should improve their language skills by at least one level set by the Department for Education and Skills.

They had also recommended the lessons should be free.





Migration Watch UK


The announcement came as Mr Blunkett said he would launch a renewed attempt to make inciting religious hatred a criminal offence.

The new offence is likely to be closely modelled on the existing crime of inciting racial hatred which carries a maximum penalty of seven years' imprisonment.




surely in a multi cultural and multi indigenous society , speakin english as a pre requisite to migration is racism

mutant

Don't Aussie already have this rule?

HiddenPaw

I was thinking the same

wmoore

I disagree. I think that before you can permanently settle into any country, you MUST be able to communicate with the rest of that country.
Re-read the text. It says requirements for citizenshop, not migration.

lucyb

Daft question...what does PMSL mean?!

wmoore

Pissed MySelf Laughing

JayDeee

My Hubby's shagged then, he's about to apply for British Citizenship and he's an Aussie

Peter

Racist? Whatever...if a migrant wants to be able to communicate with the majority, read newspapers, understand the TV, etc, it makes sense to learn the language of the land, right?

It's common sense legislation.

Timber Floor Au

Tidal wave of immigrants 'a myth'


Claims that Britain is facing a "tidal wave" of immigrants have been dismissed as a "myth" by an influential committee of MPs.

In a wide-ranging report, the cross-party Commons International Development Committee said that migrants coming to the UK actually benefited the country and should not be treated as a "problem".

It said migrants should have their rights protected by law, with proper access to welfare services, so that they were able to lead productive lives while they were in the country.

It questioned whether giving asylum seekers the right to work would make the UK more attractive to would-be refugees.

And it called on the Government to open up more "transparent and efficient" channels for legal immigration as a way of reducing illegal immigration.

Despite an increase in worldwide migration over the past 40 years, the report said that only 2.9% of the world's population lived outside their country of birth.

"It may well be the case that many more people would like to migrate, but there is currently - in contrast to the impression given in some parts of the media - no 'tidal wave' about to crash on the shores of the UK or the developed world as a whole," it said.

"Migration and migrants should not be seen as problems to be dealt with. Migration presents both challenges and opportunities. Migrants are people trying to improve their lives and must be treated accordingly."

The committee chairman, Tory MP Tony Baldry, said: "Anyone reading the British press might assume that the UK is in the front-line of dealing with migrants and refugees. This is simply wrong.

"The idea that Britain is somehow being overwhelmed by migrants is wrong."

wmoore

That's the first problem to tackle I reckon. The way certain sections of the media deliberately set out to scaremonger is outrageous IMO. It's so easy to be taken in by what you read in the papers, you believe it because "it's in the paper, it must be true".

Timber Floor Au

...do you mean it isnt all true ?

bondipom

I believe Australia has an English language requirement for those from a non English speaking country applying for skilled and partner visas. There is also a system to teach English to migrants but I don't know where the funding comes from. Language is a barrier for a migrant and anything to remove those barriers constructively is a good thing.

Peter

True, so long as the migrant meets the Govt. halfway on this, I have no issue.

Once again, it just makes pure common sense to learn the lingo of the land, official or not. In Australia's case, it's official.

wmoore

Of course it is. I'm amazed you even question it!

chippy

Don't suppose the parents of those poor buggers run over and killed by the un-licenced, un-insured, un-MOTeed, driving-on-the-wrong-side-of-the-road, drunk, 'immigrants' see it this way.

Don't suppose those that those living in the area's that the 'immigrants' take up residence see it that way either. Having to take your kids around a supermarket amongst a gang of 'immigrants' (males only, all with the latest nikes, levis and mobile phones of course).

I take it you're a NIMBY eh timber?

BTW..The next time you use the word 'immigrant', try preceeding it with the word 'illegal'.