HC Deb 28 October 2002 vol 391 cc613-5W
Ms Ward

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his plans to offer language and citizenship education to those settling in the UK. [75327]

Beverley Hughes

The advisory group, chaired by Professor Sir Bernard Crick, will be making recommendations on language and citizenship education for people seeking naturalisation. The advisory group is working on a programme of study, which will be part of English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) language teaching for those assessed as not having sufficient English. The Group has had two meetings so far and intends issuing an interim report early in the New Year, with a final report around Easter 2003.

The Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Bill refers to applicants having to deomonstrate "sufficient English (or Welsh or Scottish Gaelic)".

The Group is presently interpreting 'sufficient English' as meaning enough linguistic ability to sustain unskilled employment in an English-speaking environment. For those with that minimal level already, they consider that attendance at classes should raise their level of competence to the next entry level, as defined in the existing adult learning language skills criteria. In other words, the Group is considering the concept of attendance and progression, rather than requiring all applicants to reach an absolute standard that for some might never be achievable.

The Group has considered whether there might be some sort of screening process to filter out those people who already have sufficient English. While we do not want to make unnecessary work for people who already have a good command of one of the UK languages, we do want them to demonstrate their knowledge of life in the UK. Screening might also be used to allocate people to programmes which best meet their needs. ESOL teachers are well used to assessing linguistic capability to get people on to the right course and a number of such tools already exist.

Defining these borderlines more precisely will of course take a little time. Issues of numbers and resources, as well as standards, will also need to be considered. And, as I have said already, those with good English already may not be required to attend all the classes and may study privately for the citizenship element of the programme. This will require some innovative thought about delivery methods, bearing in mind that the overall objective is to facilitate integration and not just to test knowledge.

For those people for whom any course of study would be too challenging, perhaps by virtue of their age or infirmity, or because they have learning difficulties, the Bill includes a provision to waive these requirements. So, people who can provide sound reasons for not demonstrating progress or achievement will not be debarred from acquiring British citizenship.

The Group is currently considering a "Living in the United Kingdom" programme under six broad heads. These are: Information on everyday needs—for instance, types of housing, paying bills, and schooling; Knowing the law—for instance, the rights and responsibilities of a citizen; Sources of help and information—including both national and local voluntary and community bodies; Employment—for instance, understanding how to get a job, and employment rights and responsibilities; Britain as a changing and multi-cultural society—including the four historical nations, the new ethnic and religious groups and changing patterns in family life and relationships; British national institutions—political, economic and social.

The level would obviously be basic, and dependent on someone's needs at a particular point in their immigration history. But the Group is involved in ongoing discussions as to whether a more in-depth programme on the last two items would not be sensible for those with good English already.

I understand that, because some migrants do not become eligible for free education immediately, the Group intends recommending that the kind of information contained in the "Living in Britain" programme should be made available, perhaps at the point at which entry clearance is granted, to people such as work permit holders or spouses who have an avenue to indefinite leave to remain. For this purpose, the members will be proposing that the Government produces a 'Living in Britain' booklet to be given out at ports of entry or at posts abroad. Such a booklet could be translated into a number of languages to help those who, as yet, have not acquired language skills but who could, nevertheless. benefit from what it contains in their path to becoming active, involved citizens.

The Group intends to make an interim report early in the new year for public discussion and hopes to make a final report around Easter. The group will shortly be embarking on a widespread programme of consultation.