Public Sector Employees in Public-Facing Roles Must Speak Fluent English
All public sector employees in customer facing roles will have to be fluent in English, as a result of legislation being introduced in September.
The requirement, being introduced as part of the Immigration Bill, will mean that staff will have to be able to communicate in English at the equivalent of GCSE grade C or above. The legislation will apply to both existing and new employees, including police officers, social workers, teaching staff and assistants, Jobcentre Plus workers and local government employees.
Higher standards of English will be required for certain roles or professions. Doctors, for example, are already required to have a much higher level of English.
The Government will also produce a new code of practice following a consultation in the autumn.
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