Town halls encouraged to teach migrant workers English

1 Feb 07
Improving access to English lessons is one of the most useful steps councils can take to ensure migrant workers are better integrated into their communities, the local government watchdog said this week.

02 February 2007

Improving access to English lessons is one of the most useful steps councils can take to ensure migrant workers are better integrated into their communities, the local government watchdog said this week.

But the Audit Commission also warned that plans to reduce the numbers eligible for free lessons were likely to make successful implementation harder.

From mid-2007, European migrant workers in their first full year in the UK will not receive a full fee reduction, as English lessons for long-term settlers are to take priority.

The recommendation was included in Crossing borders – responding to the local challenges of migrant workers, a report issued by the commission on January 31.

The report acknowledged that many councils have struggled to cope with the influx of migrant workers who have come to the UK following European Union expansion in 2004.

The Audit Commission highlighted councils that have responded swiftly and effectively to local problems associated with migration.

One authority singled out for praise is Kerrier District Council in Cornwall, which responded to complaints about unauthorised caravan sites by setting up a migrant workers action group. This included police, fire and probation officers as well as council, health and benefits staff.

Living conditions on sites have since improved and poor employment practices have been uncovered. At the same time, media reports have highlighted the need to secure the welfare of migrant workers who support the Cornish economy.

Audit Commission chair Michael O'Higgins said: 'Certain local areas have been feeling the strain of change. Ethnic differences in some localities can be very visible and there can be incidents of antisocial behaviour and problems with housing.'

Report author Jill Green added that migrants did exert extra pressure on services but this was not merely a question of numbers.

She said: 'If you are in a rural area, only one or two kids extra in a class is a pressure,' she said. 'A lot of councils are more worried about making sure that this [migration] does not have impacts on neighbourhoods and cohesion.'

PFfeb2007

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