Bishop 'appalled' at UKIP plan to exclude immigrant children from schools

Bishop Pat Lynch, chair of the Bishops' Conference office for migration, has expressed his grave concern at UKIP's policy to exclude immigrant children from UK state schools for their first five years of living here.

A statement on the UKIP website says that immigrants and their dependants would need private education for five years after entering the UK. Questioned on this, UKIP leader Nigel Farage said it was a difficult issue but his personal view was that immigrants should not even be allowed to bring their children here, for a period of time. Once they were here, they should not be allowed to attend state schools for five years, he said.

Bishop Pat Lynch commented: "The UK has a long, proud and humane tradition of responding to the needs of immigrants' children. It is proven that education is a key element in integrating diverse communities. I recognise that in some places there are strains on resource but as a society we need to respond to this need rather than scapegoating any one group. I am appalled by any suggestion of discriminating against immigrants."

Source: UKIP/CCN