English may be made compulsory for non-EU migrants to UK

LONDON: Planning to immigrate to Britain? Just brush up your English grammar or get yourself enrolled in a course to learn the language. The British government is considering new rules to make knowledge of English compulsory for all migrant workers as one of the conditions for entry into the country. The curbs will affect those seeking to work and settle permanently in Britain from non-EU nations. “

Those who we welcome into the UK to work and settle here need to understand our traditions... They need to integrate into our country, learn English and use our language,” ‘The Sunday Telegraph’ reported on Sunday, quoting home secretary Jacqui Smith as saying.

Under the government’s new ‘points’ system, there are three categories of immigrants from outside the EU to work: Highly skilled, skilled and low-skilled workers. The first two groups can settle permanently in Britain while the third cannot.