Immigrants

Home
World News
UK Showbiz
Femail
Sport
US Home
US Showbiz
Health
Sci & Tech
Video
Money
Travel
Login
Desktop Site
News
All migrants must pass English tests before they can claim benefits: Duncan Smith to tighten rules on grasp of language

By James Chapman
00:06 13 Dec 2013, updated 00:06 13 Dec 2013

Facebook
Twitter
Click to open
Google Plus
Email
Click to close
0
comments
Ian Duncan Smith has vowed to tighten up the standard of English required
The Work and Pensions Secretary says migrants to be quizzed on skills
All migrants will have to demonstrate a ‘reasonable standard of English’ or be barred from claiming benefits, says Iain Duncan Smith.

The Work and Pensions Secretary announced that tests applied to those who end up claiming any work-related welfare payments will be tightened.

For the first time, migrants are to be quizzed about their language skills to determine whether these are likely to prove a barrier to them finding employment.

Ian Duncan Smith has vowed to tighten up the standard of English required for migrants
In order to pass the more rigorous test, they will have to answer up to 100 new individually-tailored questions, and submit more evidence before they will be allowed to make a claim.

MORE…
Inside the £70,000, 120-bed winter accommodation for refugees heading to Britain being set up by French mayor
Is it poisoned chalice time for Theresa?
The Department for Work and Pensions said that, for the first time, migrants will be quizzed about what efforts they have made to find work before coming to the UK and whether their English language abilities are likely to affect their chances of employment.

The Work and Pensions Secretary announced that tests applying to welfare payments would be tightened
Migrants are entitled to benefits only if they can prove that they are legally allowed to be here and have sufficient ties to this country to show they are ‘habitually resident’.

Mr Duncan Smith said a more robust system was being introduced in job centres across England, Scotland and Wales this week – and vowed to fight attempts by Brussels to overturn elements of the UK’s existing controls.

‘It is only right that we expect migrants to have a reasonable standard of English if they are to get and keep a job, and participate fully in British society,’ he told the Daily Mail.

‘It is absolutely right that we have strict rules in place to protect the British benefits system from abuse.

‘That’s why we strengthened the habitual residence test [of eligibility to benefits].

The European Commission don’t like it – and even want to take us to court over the test. I am determined to fight that court action, believing that the test is not only legal, but vital.

‘While language skills form only one element of the habitual residence test, I believe they are a crucial indicator of migrants’ commitment to playing a full role in contributing to this country.

‘The British public are rightly concerned that migrants should contribute to this country, and not be drawn here by the attractiveness of our benefits system. We are taking action to ensure that that is the case.’

The latest figures show more than 5.6million people are claiming working-age benefits.

Of these, 397,000 – or 7 per cent – are thought to have been non-UK nationals when they first registered for a national insurance number.

This is an increase of more than 100,000 since 2008.

Under the tightened system, migrants must provide more comprehensive evidence at the point of making a claim.

This might include what measures they have taken to establish themselves in the UK, their housing and family situation, or what ties they still have abroad.

They will also have to provide more evidence that they are doing everything they can to find a job, said Mr Duncan Smith.

Iain Duncan Smith has said that all migrants must pass and English test before they are allowed to claim benefits
Facebook
Twitter
Click to open
Google Plus
Email
Click to close
0
comments
JUMP TO…
Home
Showbiz
Femail
Sport
NEXT STORIES1/30

Now freephone will mean free: 0800 numbers will be free to call from mobiles and pricing for 0845 calls made simpler

Nigella’s cocaine ‘lies’: Aide insists TV chef took drugs ‘every three days’ – and her house was regularly littered with rolled-up…

National Health SHAMBLES: Three more damning reports show mothers are abandoned during labour, serious…

Nigella judge rebukes David Cameron for declaring public support for #TeamNigella’ – and orders jury to IGNORE it

Woman with stomach pain is found to have a 40-year-old FETUS inside her

‘We too are just people who have fun’: Danish prime minister defends controversial selfie with Cameron and Obama

Kim Jong Un’s uncle executed for being a ‘traitor’ as North Korean state media describe him as ‘worse than a dog’

The brightest spot in Britain: Wandsworth named brainiest place with 54% of residents having a degree

Benefits cheat who stole £82,000 while her husband ran £400,000-a-year tandoori restaurant is dragged screaming to cells as…

Teacher banned from the classroom for singing Let’s Talk About Sex to 12-year-old girl pupil and boasting of dating Cheryl Cole

Sons of ex-pat who left his £389,000 fortune to the British National Party begin legal battle to get cash back after they receive just…

Newlywed, 22, pleads guilty to shoving husband, 25, off a cliff EIGHT days after their wedding

Baby found suffocated with nappy bags near his head after his sister, 3, tried to change him

‘Models don’t look that much better than the rest of us’: Photographer’s self-portrait series proves just how deceptive…

Tenth person dies following Glasgow pub helicopter crash as half of UK’s air ambulances are grounded

Are we living in a HOLOGRAM? Physicists believe our universe could just be a projection of another cosmos

Online store Zavvi threatens customers with legal action after sending them £170 PlayStation consoles by mistake

Watch Canadian Elvis boy wonder (with a very deep voice) give pitch-perfect rendition of the King’s Blue Christmas to gobsmacked radio…

No Blue Christmas for owner of record player that once belonged to Elvis as he sells it for £4,400 despite being broken

Blockbuster’s last stores to close: Film rental firm’s last 91 outlets to shut on Monday with loss of 800 jobs

Man charged with possession of stolen partridges after thousands of birds and hundreds of kilos of venison are stolen…

Boots extends mass children’s medicine recall to six more products after faults are found with plastic caps on bottles

Navy veteran, 33, dies after drinking pear drink containing lethal amount of COCAINE as police issue warning over Caribbean-made…

Midwives leave one in four alone in labour: Appalling treatment of mothers-to-be at maternity units

Ragtag children of horrifying incest ‘cult’ found living deformed, filthy and mute in scenic Australian valley spent their days having sex…

Health director who released Obama’s birth certificate killed in Hawaii plane crash

Pictured: Reveller knocked out by a single punch during a random attack as he celebrated Christmas with friends

Only an idiot would park here: Residents in affluent neighbourhood turn to ‘vandalising’ cars with SAUCE in fight against parking…

Lifelong bachelor told friends to ‘remember the good times’ on Facebook before he killed himself

Snapchat killer? Instagram releases new feature for privately sharing photos and videos with friends

Now freephone will mean free: 0800 numbers will be free to call from mobiles and pricing for 0845 calls made simpler

Nigella’s cocaine ‘lies’: Aide insists TV chef took drugs ‘every three days’ – and her house was regularly littered with rolled-up…

by TaboolaSponsored ContentFROM THE WEB
51 Delicious Traybake Recipes
Foodnetwork.co.uk
Top 10 Superfoods
Healthspan
MOST READ NEWS1/16

Father snatches toddler daughter from her British mother in Spain after distracting her with free trip to the spa

Not so happily ever after: Lovelorn New Zealand man finds American girl he met in Hong Kong after thousands join his…

Ragtag children of horrifying incest ‘cult’ found living deformed, filthy and mute in scenic Australian valley spent their days…

Children of horrifying incest ‘cult’ with four generations of in-breeding found living deformed, filthy and mute in…

Kinnock’s son, gay rumours and a flirty blonde Prime Minister: Meet the very unusual Danish leader who dragged…

George’s first Christmas! A reindeer costume, Prince Harry dressed as Santa Claus and cuddly toy Corgis… but all is…

Nigella’s cocaine ‘lies’: Aide insists TV chef took drugs ‘every three days’ – and her house was regularly littered with…

Bizarre moment prankster with NO LEGS terrifies unsuspecting shopper by crawling up to him dressed as a zombie

EXCLUSIVE – Sex, guns, cocaine, two heart attacks and a pet Bengal tiger biting a party girl’s breast: The $100m poker…

Caught on camera: Shocking moment ‘mummy’s boy killer’ attacked his teenage model girlfriend – just 24 hours before…

Daughter of actress Jane Birkin and Bond film composer John Barry found dead on pavement beneath her Paris apartment

Mother of two LOCKED in petrol station shop by staff who ‘threatened to siphon out her fuel’ because RBS computer…

Mandela sign language ‘fake’ blames ‘schizophrenic episode’ and voices in his head for gibberish interpretation that…

‘I should never have been charged!’ Man who filmed himself having sex with sleeping woman then posted it on…

Watch Canadian Elvis boy wonder (with a very deep voice) give pitch-perfect rendition of the King’s Blue Christmas to…

Nightclubber cries hysterically as she is cleared of glassing actress Tara Reid in private members’ club

Father snatches toddler daughter from her British mother in Spain after distracting her with free trip to the spa

Not so happily ever after: Lovelorn New Zealand man finds American girl he met in Hong Kong after thousands join his…
DON’T MISS

‘Christmas can be dangerous fashion bunnies’: Victoria Beckham totters in five-inch heels on a ladder to decorate…

‘I happened to say yes’: Radio presenter Fearne Cotton announces her engagement to Jesse Wood Comes 10…

Nothing funny about that! Carol Vorderman looks stunning in a form fitting LBD as she attends the British…

It’s all gone pear shaped! Carol Vorderman shows off her shapely derriere as gallant stranger retrieves her…

‘We are very, very close’: Amy Willerton denies she’s dating Joey Essex… then joins him at his welcome home party …

New couple alert? Samantha Barks and Richard Fleeshman spark romance rumours with affectionate display…

Cracking abs! Chloe Madeley flashes miniscule waist in tartan pencil skirt and cropped top as she enjoys night out…

Masterchef host Gregg Wallace’s girlfriend Anne-Marie shows off her new brunette makeover at the Nutcracker party …

I’m down to earth, really! Gisele Bundchen opts for casual look while jetting out with baby Vivian after THAT…

No wonder he sank his claws into her! Jake Gyllenhaal’s gal Alyssa Miller shows off her incredible figure as she strips…

Dustin Lance Black, 39, shows support for Olympic diver boyfriend Tom Daley, 19, in a Team GB tracksuit top …

Merry Christmas from the Playboy mansion! Hugh Hefner, 87, and wife Crystal Harris, 27, pose in silk…

Baby Pink! Singer’s daughter Willow wears a bright beanie as they snuggle on family lunch trip Doting mother…

Time to work off those croissants! Radiant Reese Witherspoon heads to gruelling spin class Just back from trip to…

Juliette would approve! Nashville diva Hayden Panettiere is full of glee on eve of Golden Globe nomination…

‘Kim Kardashian is a Hobbit’: South Park creators make fun of reality star and fiance Kanye West in one of their most…

Kris Jenner as Time magazine’s Person Of The Year? Nope, just another twisted Jimmy Kimmel joke He likes to go to…

EXCLUSIVE: Is Kate Moss the hardest working model in fashion? Star shows off cheekbones in another campaign…

Barefaced Georgia Salpa lets her glamour girl mask slip as she steps out make-up free The Irish born glamour…

Similar Styles! Daisy Lowe and Kendall Jenner both step out in figure-hugging jeans after being linked to Harry Styles …

Dining with the enemy! Taylor Swift shares a meal with Lorde ahead of her 24th birthday after New Zealand singer…

Samantha Bond sings for her supper: Downton’s Lady Rosamund signs up for her first West End musical, writes BAZ…

The post break-up makeover! Courtney Stodden dyes her blonde locks brunette after split with husband Doug…

‘G’day everyone!’: Angelina Jolie shows off a light side as she smiles in selfies with fans in Australia. Brad Pitt’s visit must have…

Inebriated Brandi Glanville sobs down phone as she learns that her dog has gone missing after burglary at her…

Joey Essex shows off his time-telling skills on This Morning… as he admits he’s taking things slowly with Amy Willerton Back…

EXCLUSIVE: Made In Chelsea’s Rosie Fortescue ‘dating musician Miles Kane after being introduced by…

EXCLUSIVE: Behind-the-scenes with Spencer Matthews and his Made In Chelsea co-stars at the Anchorman 2…

Twinkle toes! Sarah Jessica Parker’s daughter wears starry cowboy boots on frosty day out Keeping warm can…

Eco-warrior chic! Supermodel Amber Valletta chosen as the new face of H&M’s Conscious collection She has a…
×
Published by Associated Newspapers Ltd
Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group
© Associated Newspapers Ltd
Contact us
Mobile apps
View desktop site
Advertise with us
Terms
Privacy policy & cookies