Press Release: Conservatives welcome increase in teaching of English
Today the Conservatives welcome the Government’s overdue decision to announce a retreat on their policy on the teaching of English to migrants. The Conservatives have consistently been calling on the Government to put more resources into the teaching of English as the most effective long term aid to community cohesion.
Commenting on the announcement by the Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills, David Willetts, Shadow Secretary of State, said:
“This is a retreat from the Government’s cuts in the teaching of English to foreign migrants. We’ve consistently urged the Government to shift money from spending on translation services to teaching immigrants English. It is essential for promoting community cohesion.”
The Conservative’s Shadow Minister for Immigration, Damian Green, said:
“This partial U-turn is welcome, but the Government needs to explain how they will encourage people who have been living in this country for years without speaking English to come to these courses. Conservatives believe that money for English courses should come from savings made by radical cuts in the number of public documents translated into other languages. Speaking English is an essential part of settling here and playing a full role in the community.”