Government investment to promote community cohesion

Communities Secretary Hazel Blears announced on 6 October, a ten-point action plan to promote cohesion and tackle community tensions including £50million investment. This is part of the Government's response to the 10-month review by the Commission on Integration and Cohesion which looked at the major challenges Britain faces in responding to increasing change in local communities. The new proposals have been set out in a letter from Hazel Blears to the Commission's Chair Darra Singh - Chief Executive of Ealing council. Key Government action includes:- £50 million investment over the next three years to promote community cohesion and support local authorities in preventing and managing community tensions. This is an increase from £2m in 2007/08. Promotion of new 'Citizen Days' Information packs for new migrants Specialist integration and cohesion teams will work to support local councils in managing any major changes in the local population. New national indicators on promoting cohesion will help local authorities focus their attention on what really works in their local area and help other areas learn from it. A rebalancing of local translation provision with a much greater emphasis on learning English. The Commission on Integration and Cohesion made clear that not being able to speak English is the biggest barrier to integration. We will publish new guidance for local authorities and public bodies in the coming weeks. The guidance will set out how local authorities should only translate where necessary and put a greater focus on promoting English. Link to Communities and Local Government site http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/500395