A MINISTER has visited Bradford to meet some of the city's faith groups and promote the Government's latest bid to encourage integration.

Faith minister Lord Nick Bourne of Aberystwyth came to the region yesterday to continue his tour to meet faith communities across the country and promote projects that bring together people of different faiths.

In Bradford, he paid a visit to the Hindu Cultural Society and the Thornbury Centre, in Leeds Old Road, a 'mutli-purpose facility' which host charities, faith groups and runs activities and a library.

Lord Bourne met members of the centre and spoke to them about how people of diverse backgrounds can be brought together.

Bradford is one of five 'integration areas' alongside Blackburn with Darwen; Peterborough; Walsall and Waltham Forest which the Government believes can benefit from the Integrated Communities Strategy.

This calls on schools to teach “British values” and sets out plans to boost English language skills and encourage women from minority communities to find jobs.

At the end of last year the Minister kicked off the second ‘Faith Tour’ to highlight England’s diverse landscape of faith communities and places of worship.

The continuation of the faith tour in Yorkshire follows on from the Minister’s tour of all 42 Anglican cathedrals in England.

He told the Telegraph & Argus: "We have learned of the importance of English language courses which is a strong theme that helps people in isolation and the job market.

"I think people are keen to integrate.

"It doesn't mean that everyone is the same, it means we live and work alongside each other and everyone is positive.

"It's not a question of imposing some sort of uniformity on someone.

"When you meet communities they are very keen on the positive aspects of integration, but it doesn't mean everyone is the same.

"I ended the day in a positive frame of mind in terms of the things I have seen and how we can all work together to improve things further."

Former Communities Secretary Sajid Javid announced the Integration Plan in March and it was met with a mixed reaction Bradford.

Ishtaq Ahmed, a spokesman for the Bradford Council of Mosques, said Bradford’s problems are due to a lack of investment, not integration.

He called on the Government to invest more money in the city.