IMMIGRANTS to Britain who have refused to learn the English language should be required to do so, Gordon Brown said yesterday.

The Chancellor said that immigrants should also gain an understanding of British history to learn the values of freedom, liberty and tolerance. “People who come into this country, who are part of our community, should play by the rules,” he told the Today programme on Radio 4.

“I think learning English is part of that. I think that understanding British history is part of that. That is why I want to see changes in the curriculum.

“I would insist on large numbers of people who have refused to learn our language that they must do so. If someone is unemployed, who does not speak English, they should have to learn English to make themselves employable.

“If you take preachers coming into this country, they should be speaking the English language and not refusing to speak the English language.”

Mr Brown was expressing an opinion that goes farther than present Home Office legislation. Since last year immigrants have had to show a Standard 3 level of competence in English to acquire citizenship and, if they do not, they must take a course to reach the requisite level. Ministers are considering rules for people applying for settlement in this country.

Mr Brown, in a further hint at changes that he would make as prime minister, was pointing to action to require those who have been in this country for some time and refused to learn or speak English to do so.

Sources said that it was another development of Mr Brown’s campaign to promote Britishness, seen as a way of countering suggestions that, as a Scot, he could be unpopular with English voters.

Mr Brown’s comments on language came as he was preparing to make a speech giving warning of the dangers of protectionism, but he denied that there was any contradiction in his message. “I think that being more explicit about what we value about being British is a very essential element of how we are part of the modern world,” he said.

“You can be part of the global economy, and benefit from it, but have a huge pride and patriotism that you feel about your own country.

“The future for Britain, which makes me incredibly optimistic about the future, if we make the right decisions, is incredibly bright, but we have got to prevent the retreat into protectionism.”

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