Response to PM's speech on immigration

In response to PM David Cameron’s speech today about reducing immigration figures and encouraging the integration of people settling here, Jim Steinke, Chief Executive of Northern Refugee Centre said:

“David Cameron’s demands for people settling in the UK to speak English and make more effort to integrate into their local communities are completely contradicted by the government’s cuts to funding for ESOL classes. We know from our experience how important it is for refugees and asylum seekers to be able to develop their English, yet many refugees, asylum seekers and migrants will be unable to afford to learn English lessons as a result of the cuts, further isolating many people from mainstream society.

“In addition, cuts to refugee integration services will undoubtedly hinder people with permission to live here from being able to contribute to life in the UK. In order for the government to achieve its goals of integrated communities across the country, they must ensure that there is enough money to support people to do so.

“We would also agree with the comments made by Vince Cable that the Prime Minister’s choice of language is “very unwise”. There is simply no reason to use words that “risk inflaming extremism”.

“Migrants have made an enormous contribution to British life as the Prime Minister acknowledges, and deserve not to be spoken about in such an abusive way.”

ENDS

Please contact the office for further comments from Jim Steinke, on call him directly on his work mobile.