Compulsory English tests to be mandatory for migrants

Article published: Wednesday, June 9th 2010

It was announced today that compulsory English tests will be introduced for migrants coming to the UK. This will apply to all non-European nationals including those entering the country to marry or join their their partner.

New Home Secretary Theresa May stated that “English should be a pre-requisite for anyone who wants to settle here. The new English requirement for spouses will help promote integration, remove cultural barriers and protect public services.”

Foreign nationals wishing to marry a UK citizen must also apply for the two year settlement visa, and following which, will need to sit a ‘Knowledge of Life and Language in the UK’ test, alongside the English language requirement.

A spokesperson from Manchester No Borders slammed the tests, saying: “In our view, claims that compulsory English tests promote integration are cynical at best. Why else would we see dramatic cuts to free English classes (including at Manchester College) left, right and centre?

“Everyone should have access to free classes, but should the right to live together as a family really be dependent on the mastery of English? If this was applied elsewhere you’d have thousands of Brits being prevented from living abroad.

“Everybody knows that the best way of learning a new language is by practising it on a day-to-day level in the country where it is spoken.”

Joe Beech

More: QuickKick

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