Walsall 'does not have problems with ethnic segregation' amid integration pilot

A new integration strategy will be rolled out to promote British values in schools and provide extra English language courses in an effort to reach communities where there is deemed to be a lack of integration.

The programme is part of a £50 million investment by the Government to try and improve community relations. English courses will predominantly target women from minority communities to encourage them to integrate and find jobs.

Communities Secretary Sajid Javid said there was a 'segregation problem' in some of England's schools and action was needed to tackle it. He also said too many parts of the country were divided.

However, Sean Coughlan, leader of the Labour-run Walsall Council dismissed suggestions of divisions in the town.

He said: "We were invited to take part in the pilot by the Government in recognition of our excellent work on community cohesion.

"We see this as a real plus and it gives us the opportunity to access funding we would not normally get.

"The issue is the way the Government is trying to put this across. I work on a daily basis in community centres and I see some fantastic cohesion going on and people getting on with their lives.

"Women are desperately trying to learn English. The problem is the Government cut back the funding a few years ago.

"Of course whenever someone new comes into a community there are always going to be challenges because they have different lives and different cultures.

"I really see this as a positive. I would be foolish to believe there aren't tensions anywhere but that happens in every community."

It comes after the far-right protesters from the English Defence League announced they would be returning to Walsall on April 7.

Councillor Coughlan said: "The real tensions that exist are created from people outside like the potential EDL march through the town."

The scheme will also be introduced in Bradford, Blackburn, Peterborough and Waltham Forest in London.