The Government is planning to make all migrants learn
English so that they can compete more effectively in the jobs market.
Home Secretary David Blunkett called for a debate over the
issue, after immigration minister Lord Rooker controversially claimed that
immigrants without language skills were being excluded from the labour market.
Rooker said, “People must maintain their culture, their
religion and live in peace and tranquility, but they must not be denied their
opportunity to participate properly in the employment market.”
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Changes could form part of a package of immigration and
asylum reforms likely to be presented by Blunkett to the Labour Party
Conference in October.
By Paul Nelson