[EDLING:206] UK: Kelly puts emphasis on learning English

[Francis M. Hult]

ePolitix.com

Kelly puts emphasis on learning English 

 
 
Ruth Kelly has said that councils should encourage immigrants to learn English 
instead of routinely translating documents into foreign languages.

The communities secretary said translation had been used "too frequently" and 
could become a "crutch" which discouraged integration.

The practice enabled new immigrants to avoid learning English when they first 
arrived, meaning they never did, she said.

Shadow home secretary David Davis said the comments were "an attempt, albeit 
overdue, to deal with a very real problem".

But Liberal Democrat communities spokesman Andrew Stunell branded the 
statement "another wild swing in the dark".

"Her government has cut access to language classes but now wants to leave 
vulnerable members of ethnic minority communities - many of whom are women - 
cut off from mainstream society and public services," he warned.

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