Speak English to get a job in public sector!

MIGRANTS who can’t speak English fluently will be banned from working in millions of public sector jobs under new laws, it emerged last night.

All state workers who deal directly with the public – including policemen, social workers, teachers and council officials – will have to have the equivalent of a C at Standard Grade English.

The requirement will apply to both applicants and existing staff, who could be moved to a different job if they cannot reach the required level.

Ministers said speaking English was a ‘fundamental part of integrating into society’.

The new law, revealed in the Immigration Bill yesterday, prompted critics to warn it showed the extent to which immigration from Europe was out of control.

Tory MP Andrew Percy said: ‘People should not be allowed to come into this country to work at all unless they can speak English or Welsh to the right standard.

‘Non-EU migrants already have to pass English tests. It’s our membership of the EU and free movement rules that means we have to let in people who can’t.’ The law will also: Create a criminal offence of driving unlawfully in the UK with jail terms of up to six months.

Enforce the principle of ‘deport first appeal later’ in human rights cases.

Allow the seizure of earnings from illegal workers and the f orced closure of ‘rogue’ businesses.

Allow electronic tagging of foreign criminals let out on bail.

The English language test will form part of a code of practice covering all public sector workers in ‘customer facing’ positions which could come into force within months. Officials said existing workers will be given time to ‘get up to speed’ but if they fail to improve, they face being moved to back office roles. The public will also be able to report concerns about particular staff members.

Since March, nurses from the EU applying to work in the NHS have had to have language tests, as have midwives, dentists and pharmacists. Even tougher language tests for doctors were brought in last year after a long-running row with Brussels which argued it would breach free movement rules.

The Bill is the Government’s latest response to spiralling immigration levels in Britain.