GOVERNMENT plans to offer free language training to immigrants settling in Britain have been met with criticism from a Bournemouth language school.

Shane Wilkinson, principal of Bournemouth Business School International, thinks the radical plans will not involve him and his private sector colleagues, despite their experience.

"Language schools are never asked to be involved even though we are the experts," he said. Mr Wilkinson anticipates that the job will go to teachers employed by local councils, who won't be as experienced as the language schools.

He said: "It's very odd but we won't get any extra business, that's the way the government wants to do it."

Private sector language schools are subjected to checks in order to become accredited, but Mr Wilkinson is concerned that those who are asked to carry out the language training won't have been through the same tests.

Mike Francis, principal of Westbourne Academy, believes the private sector schools won't gain any extra business because the new students will be learning English as a second language.

"We shouldn't be screaming and shouting about losing business because it's not ours to begin with. We teach English as a foreign language," he said.

The only issue for Mr Francis is making sure that foreign visitors who can afford it don't slip through the net to receive free education.

"Wealthy immigrants come and they shouldn't get any free training," he said.

Skills secretary John Denham announced the plans aimed at improve community relations by helping immigrants to integrate.

Sue Edwards, principal of Aspect ILA Westbourne College, understands that these aren't the kind of students that she would expect to recruit.

She said: "Our students return home or go onto university. We would love to link up with these people but we have no links with the immigrant community at all."