Blears sets out cohesion policies

7 Feb 08
The government has called for fresh efforts to promote community cohesion and tackle tensions as well as setting out policies to create stronger local communities across the UK.

08 February 2008

The government has called for fresh efforts to promote community cohesion and tackle tensions as well as setting out policies to create stronger local communities across the UK.

Responding to a review by the Commission for Integration and Cohesion published last year, Communities Secretary Hazel Blears set out a number of proposals, which include helping local authorities to set up cohesion teams to manage migration.

Blears said that migrants coming to live and work in the UK had to be clear about what was expected of them. 'That is why we have introduced a new points-based system… including an emphasis on shared values like respect for the law and new measures on earned citizenship.'

The government will introduce 'specialist cohesion teams' to provide advice and support to local authorities facing 'cohesion challenges'. It has also published guidance, in partnership with the Improvement and Development Agency, to help councils develop information packs for migrants. These should include details about local English language classes, waste and recycling services and employment services, information on tax and 'social norms', such as not littering and queuing in shops.

Published on February 4, the guidance includes a template for migrant information packs and advice on evaluating their success and usefulness.

Blears also wants to encourage local authority 'twinning' between areas facing similar community issues, to encourage them to share ideas and solutions.

She said: 'The overwhelming majority of people live successfully side by side but we cannot take this for granted. We have to be… well placed to respond to the issues associated with population change and globalisation.'

Local Government Association chair Sir Simon Milton, however, warned that funding was not addressing the issue of migration.

'The speed and scale of migration, combined with the shortcomings of official population figures, are placing pressure on funding for services like children's services and housing.

'The problem is that the money that is being generated isn't necessarily finding its way back to down to the local level,' Milton added.

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