Non-English speakers to lose benefits
We posted a while ago about the £110 million that the British government spends on translation services for immigrants every year.
Well, it seems that the argument that this money could be better spent on English lessons is winning, as the government is proposing to cut benefits to claimants who do not take English lessons.
This is an important step by the government in recognising that English language skills are important both for work and for social integration. Brendan Barber, writing in the Guardian Online, however, highlights the other side of the coin, a catch-22 where many low-paid immigrants will suffer simply because ESOL classes are not available for them to take in the first place.
What do you think about this paradox? Have a look at the article and post a comment below…
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