In a speech in November 2024, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the vast majority of people who entered this country “did so to plug gaps in our workforce.”
But in 2021 Census data, 10% of migrants in England and Wales reported that they had difficulty speaking English, with 1% saying that they couldn’t speak the language at all.
As a result, migrants with limited language skills were less likely to be employed, or less likely to be in high-skill jobs, according to the Migration Observatory.
So how are immigrants to Greater Manchester being integrated in this community?
Charitable programmes
For immigrants who have been dealing with long-term unemployment, Manchester City Council can refer them to the charity Migrant Support.
Formed by a group of volunteers from many different nationalities, the charity provides free English language education which can help immigrants to pass language tests that they may face in the world of work.
Sandra Rice, co-founder and operations manager at Migrant Support, added: “We have a programme that is dedicated for people to talk about employment and improve their employability skills.
“We could help them to find volunteer placements and improve their CV so they can find jobs better.”
The charity also offers more casual sessions for simply practicing English in a group environment. These are popular with migrants who are already retired, Rice shared.
Part of the charity’s work is also about helping migrants to understand the cultural norms of Manchester and the UK.
Rice said: “It’s not only that you need English, but you almost also need to learn about what Britain is.
“We work with our learners to help them understand that once they move to the UK, there are certain things that they have to learn in order to understand this culture.”
One common cultural difference Rice sees is the approach to pets. For some migrants, pets are protectors of the home, while in British society they are more like members of the family.
Beyond education, Migrant Support also provides wellbeing support for refugees, asylum seekers, and other immigrants who are leaving traumatic situations.
Rice said: “For some who come, maybe their English is more proficient, but it’s the case they’re fleeing war.
“Then there’s a different kind of support – there’s the welfare support for them. So really we’re just catering to different needs for different migrants”.
Formal education institutions
International students and recent immigrants can also improve their English language skills at more formal educational establishments.
One example of this is King’s Hall College, a newly opened English language school based in Manchester city centre.
Imad Ahmed, CEO of the school said: “A shared language helps to bridge cultural divides and promote understanding within Manchester’s diverse population.”
“English helps immigrants and non-native speakers integrate into the community, build relationships, and access services.”
Images of the King’s Hall College campus in central Manchester. Courtesy of King’s Hall College.
Supporting beginners all the way to advanced English language students, the fee-paying college also supports long-time UK residents to improve their English and their professional development.
Ahmed explained: “Proficiency in English opens doors to better job opportunities and higher earning potential.
“Strong English skills are essential for pursuing higher education and vocational training in the UK.”
Community groups
A number of community groups around Greater Manchester organise regular sessions for migrants to meet in a social setting and practice their English.
For example, the Langworthy Cornerstone community centre in Salford, and the Stretford Public Hall, both host English language cafes which are open to those who need the practice.
Religious groups such as Grace Church Manchester also host events on Monday evenings where people can develop their English skills over games and food.
Featured image from Pexels.
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