New language tests for migrants
Tens of thousands of migrants to the UK will be forced to learn English as a precursor to their entry under new government plans.
Gordon Brown is expected to announce the change to immigration law at a speech to the Trades Union Congress this week.
“Those who we welcome into the UK to work and settle here need to understand our traditions and feel that they are part of our shared national culture,” Jacqui Smith, the home secretary, told the Sunday Telegraph.
“They need to integrate into our country, learn English and use our language.”
According to the paper, a third of the 96,000 skilled migrants who came to Britain last year would have failed to pass an English test demonstrating language skills comparable with A to C level at GCSE.
Migrants classified as highly-skilled by the government have had to prove they can speak English since last December.
The anticipated plans will only affect workers from outside the EU and exceptions will include international footballers bought by Premier League clubs.
Ms Smith went on to say: “At present, people who seek to come to the UK permanently, or as highly skilled workers are required to speak English.
“We want to go further and make speaking English a requirement for all those coming in to the UK to do lesser skilled work and we will be looking at extending this requirement to those who come to the UK to do low skilled work as well.”
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