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English language requirement for claimants may be welcomed by strivers English language requirement for claimants may be welcomed by strivers
(3 months later)
When the chancellor announced that welfare claimants who don't speak English will have their benefits cut if they fail to attend language courses, it immediately attracted accusations of "dog-whistle politics" and peddling populist myths about "benefit tourism".When the chancellor announced that welfare claimants who don't speak English will have their benefits cut if they fail to attend language courses, it immediately attracted accusations of "dog-whistle politics" and peddling populist myths about "benefit tourism".
"From now on, if claimants don't speak English, they will have to attend language courses until they do. This is a reasonable requirement in this country. It will help people find work," said George Osborne. "But if you're not prepared to learn English, your benefits will be cut.""From now on, if claimants don't speak English, they will have to attend language courses until they do. This is a reasonable requirement in this country. It will help people find work," said George Osborne. "But if you're not prepared to learn English, your benefits will be cut."
The Sun's political team certainly wasted no time tweeting: "Non-English speakers will have their benefits cut if they don't learn the language. #SR13"The Sun's political team certainly wasted no time tweeting: "Non-English speakers will have their benefits cut if they don't learn the language. #SR13"
Osborne was building on recent pledges by David Cameron and Theresa May to clamp down on "benefit tourism" before the lifting of labour market restrictions on Bulgarians and Romanians at the end of this year.Osborne was building on recent pledges by David Cameron and Theresa May to clamp down on "benefit tourism" before the lifting of labour market restrictions on Bulgarians and Romanians at the end of this year.
Treasury sources say there are 100,000 jobless foreigners who would face the threat of sanctions if they don't learn English. Around a third of the £350m savings in the welfare budget are to be spent on classes ensuring they can get reach English entry level 2 – equivalent to the average nine-year-old.Treasury sources say there are 100,000 jobless foreigners who would face the threat of sanctions if they don't learn English. Around a third of the £350m savings in the welfare budget are to be spent on classes ensuring they can get reach English entry level 2 – equivalent to the average nine-year-old.
But there is no strong evidence that there are hundreds of thousands of idle migrants who can't speak any English at all living off benefits in Britain.But there is no strong evidence that there are hundreds of thousands of idle migrants who can't speak any English at all living off benefits in Britain.
Indeed, the most recent census data published in March shows that there are only 138,000 people in England and Wales who cannot speak English at all. They make up just 0.3% of the population.Indeed, the most recent census data published in March shows that there are only 138,000 people in England and Wales who cannot speak English at all. They make up just 0.3% of the population.
There are no published figures for how many of these 138,000 people are claiming welfare benefits. But a Department for Work and Pensions study published last year found that just 6%, or 371,000 of the 5.5 million people claiming working age benefits, were born outside the UK. A random sample of 9,000 of them showed that half of them were actually British citizens.There are no published figures for how many of these 138,000 people are claiming welfare benefits. But a Department for Work and Pensions study published last year found that just 6%, or 371,000 of the 5.5 million people claiming working age benefits, were born outside the UK. A random sample of 9,000 of them showed that half of them were actually British citizens.
The same DWP study found that those born abroad were significantly less likely to claim benefits than those born in Britain. As the then employment minister, Chris Grayling, put it: "We've yet to establish the full picture. It may be that there isn't a problem right now."The same DWP study found that those born abroad were significantly less likely to claim benefits than those born in Britain. As the then employment minister, Chris Grayling, put it: "We've yet to establish the full picture. It may be that there isn't a problem right now."
All this suggests that only a small proportion of the 138,000 non-English speakers are likely to claim benefits. An even vanishingly smaller proportion are likely to fail to turn up to classes when required to do so.All this suggests that only a small proportion of the 138,000 non-English speakers are likely to claim benefits. An even vanishingly smaller proportion are likely to fail to turn up to classes when required to do so.
This may be why the small print of the Treasury documents makes clear that the measure is not aimed at a mythical group of claimants who can't speak any English at all, but at a different group whose poor English is a barrier to them getting work. They may well be strivers rather than scroungers who welcome the extra provision of English classes for them.This may be why the small print of the Treasury documents makes clear that the measure is not aimed at a mythical group of claimants who can't speak any English at all, but at a different group whose poor English is a barrier to them getting work. They may well be strivers rather than scroungers who welcome the extra provision of English classes for them.
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