Sarah Champion MP, Secretary of State for Women and Equalities, commenting on the release of the Casey report, said:

“Labour welcomes the Casey report as it provides an opportunity to address the big social challenges facing our country.

“This report demonstrates that the government cannot continue to hollow out social infrastructure, local councils and public services that do so much to encourage integration, without paying a much higher price in the long term. Casey’s key recommendation is the importance of being able to speak English, without which isolation and subjugation are more easily able to take hold. Sadly, the government have scrapped mandatory ESOL classes and cut adult learning services to the bone. This must be urgently addressed.

“It is now time that we recognise the problems and opportunities highlighted in the Casey report and address these in a realistic and mature way.

“A Labour government will put forward a real plan for a socially and economically fairer Britain; tackling isolation, division and mistrust, and properly funding vital services which help bring communities together.”