'Cultural packs' could teach immigrants to queue » Central Government » 24dash.com

Immigrants should be given "cultural briefing packs" when they move to the UK, an official report will say today.

The information may tell new arrivals from Eastern Europe and elsewhere that, for example, the British like to queue at the Post Office and bus stop, and frown on spitting in the street.

The Commission on Integration and Cohesion will admit that mass immigration has been "unsettling" for many communities in the country, but will offer a host of recommendations to boost integration.

So-called "Britishness tests" are compulsory for foreigners who want to take UK nationality but there is no requirement for other immigrants to learn about British life.

The cultural packs would be drawn up by local councils according to circumstances in their area, a commission spokeswoman said.

"The packs might say that we like to queue at the Post Office and the bus stop and we don't really like spitting in the street," she said.

"Things like that sound very simple but can drive members of the settled community barmy - when it might be that new arrivals just don't know about things like that."

Local authorities will be asked to identify potential immigration "hot spots" and develop tactics in response.

It could involve drawing up "contracts" for new arrivals that would set out the expectations of local people, and also define what is and is not acceptable behaviour.

However, the contracts would not be legally binding, the spokeswoman said.

The independent commission was set up by Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly last year.

It has found that areas of the country which have never experienced mass immigration, such as rural areas, are now having to adapt to population change.

Commission chairman Darra Singh is expected to say: "We have to recognise that there are communities who are experiencing migration in a way they haven't before and that can be unsettling.

"This can raise real challenges in different parts of the country about how we promote integration and ensure we have strong and united communities."

He will add: "Whilst there is no cause for alarm, there is a clear case for action.

"Our report sets out the challenges and the practical steps that everyone, individuals, organisations, local and national government, can take to overcome them and work towards developing our shared future."

The commission wants to see a reduction in the amount of translation into foreign languages carried out by local councils and other public bodies.

Money saved from this reduction should be invested in English lessons for immigrants, it will say.

Large businesses which benefit from migrant labour should pay towards the cost of lessons, it will add.

In another controversial recommendation, the report will say that "single issue" groups should be awarded public money only in exceptional cases.

Such a move could lead to funds drying up for organisations based on race or faith issues.

The report will say: "Funding single issue groups rather than using public money to support whole community projects can support division rather than integration and should be the exception rather than the rule.

"The commission recommend that unless there is a clear business and equalities case, single group funding should not be promoted.

"In exceptional cases where such funding is awarded, the provider should demonstrate clearly how its policies will promote community integration and cohesion."

Earlier this month the commission said every young person in the UK should take part in a compulsory community service scheme.

And earlier this year, Prime Minister-in-waiting Gordon Brown said immigrants should be forced to work in the community before they are given British citizenship.

The Chancellor said there needed to be a "contract" between the country and people who wanted to become citizens.

Sandy Bruce-Lockhart, Chairman of the Local Government Association, a cross-party organisation representing councils in England, stressed the importance of English lessons.

"The challenge of strengthening community relations, and the need to ensure real integration, has never been more important than today. But the solutions are not central, they are local," he said.

"Every town and community across England is different and they all require local solutions.

"It is imperative for the continued long-term advancement of community cohesion that education of English is continually improved so that language does not act as a barrier to accessing services.

"What is disappointing is that the Learning and Skills Council has recently decided to restrict its budget to provide English as a second language to overseas learners."

He added: "What is needed now is local leaders to work with everyone in their communities, from all backgrounds and walks of life."

But Sir Andrew Green, chairman of Migrationwatch which campaigns against mass immigration, said: "This commission has completely missed the wider picture.

"Our society now faces only two choices - either we integrate or we disintegrate.

"The present Government has encouraged foreign immigration of over two million people without thought to the social consequences.

"Immigrants are now arriving at nearly one a minute and will require 200 new homes every day for the next 20 years.

"Until these huge numbers are brought down, belated efforts at integration are doomed."

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