Sponsored by
Figures show foreign language speakers in Boston as spotlight falls on immigration in town
West Street in Boston
New figures prove a large percentage of people living in parts of Boston town centre do not speak English as their main language.
The latest data from the 2011 census reveals 43 per cent of residents in one part of Boston listed languages other than English as their native tongue.
The area runs from Irby Street in the north out to Redstone Road, following the line of the river down to Wyberton Low Road.
A total of 15.39 per cent in that area speak Polish - now the nation’s second language.
Other parts of Boston town centre vary from about a quarter to a third of the population who do not count English as their first language. This compares to a high of 10 per cent for Skegness, 18 per cent in Grantham, and 20 per cent for Lincoln - with a national average of 7.7 per cent.
The figures come ahead of yet more national press about the impact of immigration on Boston.
In a Daily Mail article headlined ‘The town that’s had enough’, Robert Hardman looks at how Boston is coping with the population growth.
With input from a variety of town representatives including the council, anti-immigration protest group, and the Latvian community, Hardman covers the recent BBC Question Time debate, the council’s report into the impact of immigration and fears for the the local economy when the EU opens its doors to Bulgaria and Romania.
Borough council leader Peter Bedford said: “I thought the article was fair and balanced.
“The issues raised reflect the matters of concern both to the residents of Boston and to the council and are issues which we are working hard on and have brought to the attention of Government.”
Coun Mike Gilbert added: “The issue of mass inward migration affects all of the local community and Mr Hardman’s contribution to the debate is very welcome.”
Email to a friend
Print this page- Conservatives lose control of Lincolnshire County Council
- LATEST: Man appears before court charged with Boston double murders
- Whatever happened to Julian Joachim? Ex-Aston Villa, Leicester City, Leeds United and Coventry City striker on target for Freiston Reserves in the Boston Saturday Football League
- Lincolnshire County Council candidates revealed as the race for Boston seats begins
- £13k of business cash lost over event that never happened
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Boston, Lincolnshire
Sunday 26 May 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 6 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 8 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 23 mph
Wind direction: South west
