Same for Germany, I missed it by about a year (introduced 2004). But I spent my first 9 months here learning the language anyway.

It seems sensible especially if they are medical staff and cannot understand the patients. Long term it saves a fortune in translation services.

I don't mind the fact that they would have to learn English but taking a test at the level of a skilled worker? I'd like to see the test and see how some of the youth here perform. If the 'dumbest' kids and adults here can't do it, it shouldn't be foisted on others.

One of my mate's mum came from abroad when she was in her midtwenties. Didn't know a word of English. In the thirty years she's been here, she can converse well. She is able to read newspapers but has difficulties with rarer words. However, she can barely write much more than her name/address etc and certainly couldn't create a CV without my friend's (and my) help. Doesn't impede her in any way.

I think being conversant is probably enough and certainly more than Certain Brits who gp abroad and don't bother to learn the lingo.

Why make foreigner learn English to move in and then still provide official docs in 5 languages? If English is the official language it should be used for everything important.

Because you don't want any immigrant to miss out on the potentially lucrative benefits system just because they don't speak the local language. </sarcasm>

That is why the savings in translations may save a fortune.

I bet theres a fair few number of scots that immigrate to England would fail that very language test!

You do know Scots don't have to emigrate to England. We're joined at the hip and handbag.

There are a fair number of Geordies who would also fail. I have needed subtitles to understand some on TV and that was in English.