Ruth Kelly finally making sense?

Ruth Kelly (whom my regular reader will know I find obnoxious in the extreme) has actually made a statement that didn't make my innards shudder in anger and frustration.

She has stated that too much government material is being translated too frequently, which has the ultimate effect of removing any reason for immigrants to learn English. Thus a continuing reliance on translation services, which cost the taxpayer about £100 million every year.

This is not about removing all translations services, but increasing opportunities for people to learn English when they move to the UK.

Ms Kelly said: "I do think translation has been used too frequently and sometimes without thought added to the consequences."

She added: "So, for example, it's quite possible for someone to come here from Pakistan and elsewhere in the world and to find that materials are routinely translated into their mother tongue and therefore not have the incentive to learn English."

Ms Kelly said evidence suggested that if someone did not try to learn English in their first six months in the UK, they were unlikely ever to learn the language.

Predictably, this has drawn criticism from the usual sources, including Iqbal Sacranie (Former Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain). I don't think this sort of small mindedness should deter the government from following this sensible course of action - if people want to live in the UK, they should be encouraged to speak English and provided with every opportunity to improve their fluency.

I think this is just one step towards breaking down barriers between immigrant communities and the rest of the UK population and provide an additional sense of cohesion and community.