Those who contend that migration levels are unsustainable fail to acknowledge that an aging indigenous population means there will be an even greater onus on workers hailing from outside the UK in the future.

It is already accepted that Yorkshire's rural and coastal economy would collapse without the input of those migrants from the European Union, and further afield, who are prepared to undertake menial jobs for low wages. The same is also applicable to the NHS and also the hotel and service industry in major towns and cities. The real challenge, therefore, is for this region's leaders to devise a coherent set of policies whereby the forecast 65 per cent increase in Yorkshire's ethnic minority population can be absorbed without exacerbating racial tensions still further, and that this new influx is used to help fill the most pressing gaps in the labour market.

This is the key to creating a more cohesive society. However, it will not occur if there is, for example, an even greater concentration of Asian families in relatively small districts of Bradford and Hull. The existence of such enclaves does little to foster a culture of community cohesion.

There will also be little chance of closer community ties being forged if immigrants are not actively encouraged to speak English.

Language remains the greatest barrier to integration, a point now recognised by the Government which has announced a wide-
ranging package of measures to assist both those with a weak grasp of English and those groups who remain reluctant
to integrate.

The prohibitive cost will be a price worth paying provided that it achieves results, and that there is a greater emphasis on future migrants being able to speak English in the future before they are granted
UK citizenship.

Yet it should be remembered that this initiative represents a considerable volte-face on the Government's part after it pledged in 2006 to end free funding for such courses.

It is a salutary lesson for Ministers. For, if they were prepared to champion the case for controlled immigration, and its economic and social benefits, there would be less indignation from voters about the changing face of Yorkshire's population.