'Migrants should swear oath to British values', says Government report

The review stressed that Britain had benefited hugely from immigration
Hatty Collier5 December 2016

Migrants should take an “oath of integration” enshrining British values as soon as they arrive in the UK, a major Government-commissioned review said.

The review carried out by Dame Louise Casey - who was brought in by David Cameron to report on social integration amid concerns hundreds of radicalised young Britons were joining Islamic State - warned the country was becoming more divided as it became more diverse.

It found that while Britain has benefited hugely from immigration and the increased ethnic and religious diversity it had brought, there had not been sufficient emphasis on integration.

For those coming to the UK seeking citizenship, it said the Government should consider requiring them to take an oath of integration with British values and society on arrival in the country rather that awaiting their final citizenship test.

The review was originally commissioned by Mr Cameron in 2015, when he was prime minister, as part of a wider strategy to tackle the "poison" of Islamic extremism.

Dame Louise Casey (left) and former Prime Minister David Cameron on a visit to a community centre (file photo) 
AFP/Getty Images

Following a year-long study, Dame Louise said there were areas which were struggling to cope with the pace and scale of change they faced as a result of immigration while there were still large social and economic gaps between different ethnic groups.

In particular she highlighted the plight of women who found themselves marginalised through poor English language skills while being subjected to "coercive control, violence and criminal acts of abuse, often enacted in the name of cultural or religious values".

In a wide-ranging set of recommendations the review called for more English classes for isolated groups, greater mixing among young people through activities such as sport, and a new "oath of integration" enshrining British values for all holders of public office.

It also said schoolchildren should be taught British laws, history and values within the core school curriculum to build “integration, tolerance, citizenship and resilience" in children.

Dame Louise said: "We need more effort to be put into integration policies to help communities cope with the pace and scale of immigration and population change in recent years.

"But we also need more of a spirit of unity, compassion and kindness that brings people together under our common British values of tolerance, democracy, equality and respect."

Chuka Umunna, chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Social Integration, said the lack of integration had opened a "vacuum" for extremists from all sides to exploit.

He said: "Above all, it is sapping our communities of trust at a time when, in an uncertain and changing world, it is all too easy to blame 'the other' for all our problems.

"Tackling segregation and increasing integration is not about attributing blame and attacking immigrants, be they recent arrivals or those who arrived decades ago.

Communities Secretary Sajid Javid said: "This Government is building a democracy for everyone and our country has long been home to lots of different cultures and communities, but all of us have to be part of one society - British society," he said .

"So while it's right that we celebrate the positive contribution that diverse groups make to British life, we also need to continue making sure that nobody is excluded from it or left behind."

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