Cabinet Office Minister Matt Hancock has confirmed that new legislation requiring every public sector worker employed in a public-facing role to speak fluent English will be introduced as part of the Immigration Bill. This will mean that all public sector organisations must ensure that staff can communicate effectively with the public, to what is expected to be at least ‘level 2’ – equivalent to a C or above at GCSE. Organisations will all be bound by a new code of practice which will be produced following a consultation in the autumn. The legislation and code of practice will apply to both existing and new employees working in public-facing roles.

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