Immigrants should get loans for English classes, say MPs and peers
2 min read
The Government should bring in a student loan-style system to help new immigrants learn English, a cross-party group of MPs and peers has said.
The all-party parliamentary group on social integration says ministers must act urgently to encourage integration, rather than leaving people to “sink or swim”.
The APPG suggests an income-contingent loans system, so immigrants can take English lessons and defer payment until they are earning above a certain threshold.
The group’s chair, Labour MP Chuka Umunna, said immigrants should be viewed not as a “security risk” but as “Britons-in-waiting”, who want to play a full role in society.
The group’s final report builds on an interim document in January which called for compulsory English classes for immigrants and a new regional immigration system so that new arrivals are spread more evenly around the UK.
Mr Umunna, who represents Streatham in south London, said the debate about integration had become more difficult due to the “demonisation” of immigrants since the EU referendum campaign.
Today’s report cites research showing that almost two thirds of second generation immigrants (62%) feel the UK has become less tolerant since the Brexit vote.
Mr Umunna said: “The demonisation of immigrants, exacerbated by the poisonous tone of the debate during the EU referendum campaign and after, shames us all and is a huge obstacle to creating a socially integrated nation.
“We must act now to safeguard our diverse communities from the peddlers of hatred and division while addressing valid concerns about the impact of immigration on public services, some of which can contribute to local tensions.
“We must start by valuing the contribution of all ethnic and minority communities to the UK. Rather than being seen as security risks, immigrants should be viewed as Britons-in-waiting, keen to participate in their community
“The best way to do this isn’t to leave newcomers and their communities to sink or swim, but to offer migrants more support to integrate into our society.”
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