The UK is home to many different cultures and immigrants have made a significant contribution to this country. I am proud of the tolerance and respect that we show to people coming to this country from abroad, but that is not to say that tensions do not sometimes arise between communities.  I believe that we can do more to ensure that immigrants are able to integrate fully into British society, and the recent review of community cohesion published by Dame Louise Casey also shows a clear link between cultural isolation and poor economic prospects. Refusing to acknowledge the importance of integration is unfair to immigrants and to existing communities.

The Government will be responding to Dame Louise Casey's review in detail in the spring.  Whilst I will await the response, it is my view that the existing requirement of local councillors to adhere to 'The Nolan Principles' of Standards in Public Life should be reinforced rather than the imposition of an extra requirement of an oath.

Finally, I was pleased to have the opportunity to question Dame Louise Casey as part of my role on the Communities and Local Government (CLG) Select Committee, the transcript of which can be found on the CLG Select Committee section of www.parliament.uk.  The Casey Review evidence from the Behavioural insight Team strongly suggests that, particularly in light of the Rotherham investigation, taking a symbolic oath has a positive impact on integration and accountability.