Migrants' Advice Packs Proposed
Monday 04 February
Immigrants should be told not to touch people without permission, spit in the street or play loud music, Communities Secretary Hazel Blears has said.
Ms Blears proposed that councils issue welcome packs to migrants explaining
The government says it wants to help newcomers integrate into
Public funding should also be aimed at the whole community, not single ethnic groups, to "strengthen what we have in common", Ms Blears added.
The proposals are being introduced following the Commission on Integration and Cohesion, which held a 10-month review into the challenges caused of diversity.
'Legitimate and necessary'
Under the government's plans - which are being published for consultation - information packs produced by councils would suggest how immigrants could contribute to the economy and avoid community tensions.
This would include promoting shared values like respect for the law.
According to new guidelines, bodies which distribute taxpayers' money to projects would have to consider whether they allow people from different backgrounds to integrate or whether they cause division.
Schemes such as separate youth clubs for black or Asian children could widen the gap between communities, ministers fear.
Ms Blears said that
She added: "It is only right that we expect migrants to play by our rules. In return we have a role in explaining just what those rules are.
"Information packs are a way of getting that info across - providing a rough guide to the country, the county and the city and helping to ensure that new arrivals avoid doing or saying things that might upset local settled communities or getting into trouble with the law."
Story from BBC NEWS