Can't speak English, can't come in?
All skilled workers from outside the EU will have to learn English before they can enter Britain, the prime minister is expected to confirm.
Gordon Brown will announce the measure at the TUC conference on Monday.
The government estimates 35,000 of the 95,000 skilled migrants who entered the UK last year would not have been able to show they could speak the language.
The British Chambers of Commerce said it was concerned the measure would put workers off coming to the UK. (BBC)
If they can speak the language then they can integrate into society better, yes, but should it be a pre-condition of entry?Gordon Brown will announce the measure at the TUC conference on Monday.
The government estimates 35,000 of the 95,000 skilled migrants who entered the UK last year would not have been able to show they could speak the language.
The British Chambers of Commerce said it was concerned the measure would put workers off coming to the UK. (BBC)
It is strange that the condition that they must speak English to enter Britain has applied to highly skilled migrants since last December and is soon to also apply to skilled immigrants - but not to low-skilled workers. Surely that's back to front? Skilled and highly-skilled workers are bound to be far more useful to the economy, and be able to do jobs that low-skilled natives can't. Thus wouldn't it make more sense to have low-skilled workers need to be speak English to enter and work rather than those with useful skills?
A willingness to learn the language and to integrate is going to be more important than knowing the language already. Instead of a pre-condition of speaking English before entering, instead it would be better as a condition to remain in the country. Britain needs migrant labour, and reducing the skilled migrant influx by more than a third wouldn't help.
Instead of a condition before entering, speaking [and learning] English, along with a demonstration of a willingness to integrate, should be required in order to settle in Britain. Brits who go abroad to work don't always [or even usually?] know the language of the country they are moving to, so why should we demand it of those who enter Britain to work?
Sources: BBC, The Telegraph
