‘Help migrants speak Welsh’

Migrants to Montgomeryshire should be supported to speak Welsh as well as English to help them settle more effectively into their host communities.

A motion passed at the latest meeting of the Montgomeryshire Labour Party in Welshpool called on Powys County Council to fund greater support for English and Welsh language training for people moving to the area, particularly from Eastern Europe.

The local Labour party is a big supporter of remaining in the EU and is lobbying residents to support their belief that migration is positive and contributes to the country.

Local Labour Party spokesperson Bill Johnson said: “We believe the EU can help safeguard the rights, safety and prosperity of ordinary people in Wales and that immigrants can play an important role in our economy and communities. Helping them to learn the local language is a vital part of that.”

While Welshpool is not hosting the expected trickle of refugees from the Syrian crisis, it has become home to a large number of Eastern European migrants working in and around the town.