It might be necessary for authorities to step in and force parents to teach their children to speak English before they start school, an MP has warned.

Keighley Conservative MP Kris Hopkins said parents have a responsibility and are failing children if they do not have the needed language skills to help them succeed.

“There is an urgent need for parents to take responsibility for ensuring their children achieve their full educational potential, and speaking English is vital in this regard,” he said.

“Some local education authorities have mechanisms in place to encourage parental engagement, but we need to find a way to reach those parents who fail to step up to the mark and this may involve an element of compulsion.”

Figures released by the Depart-ment for Education revealed more than 28,000 children in the district do not speak English as their first language, representing 43.5 per cent of school children and one in three secondary school children.

Mr Hopkins said: “Keighley needs a highly-educated, highly-skilled workforce if we are to attract new jobs and inward investment and be able to tap into niche markets. This will require ambition and aspiration in the local community and, in particular, amongst its younger members. But the inspiration must begin at home, with parents encouraging their children to do their best and, in the Asian community, ensuring they can speak English.”

  • Read more in Thursday’s T&A