The Legal Services Commission is to extend its range of services to include family law. Contracts for the new service, which will offer an advice helpline, have been awarded to three English and one Welsh firm of solicitors.

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The ability of immigrants to speak English is important for their full integration into the economy and society and local councils will play a major part in deciding who will qualify for free language lessons. Spending will now focus on long-term UK residents and away from short-term migrants to the UK because it is important that those with a long-term commitment to remain in the UK should be the ones to benefit from this investment.

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The New Opportunities White Paper made recommendations for raising the aspirations and attainment of young people in deprived communities. Recommendations were based on research by the Social Exclusion Task Force. Communities and Local Government are now seeking bids for grants to deliver the programme.

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