Many migrant workers are employed in agriculture

A report said integration of migrants was being held back by lack of language skills and access to English lessons.

The UK Commission on Integration and Cohesion Report said businesses should contribute to the cost of such courses.

The government said its funding on tuition had tripled but it could not keep up with escalating demand.

Escalating demand for courses means continuing growth in funding is unsustainable Bill Rammell Minister for higher education

In a "competitive economy" it was right to ask employers who use migrant labour to pay for English language teaching for their staff, said minister for higher education Bill Rammell.

He said the government would respond to the commission's recommendations this autumn.

"English language acquisition is central to employment prospects and social inclusion," he said.

"But escalating demand for courses means continuing growth in funding is unsustainable."

'Ridiculous situation'

In October 2006 the government said it was removing the automatic free entitlement to English for Speakers of Other Languages (Esol) courses from all but those on means-tested benefits, the very low paid and asylum seekers under 19.

If the government really wants people settling in this country to be English speakers it must realise it has to invest the money Sally Hunt UCU general secretary

A recent survey suggested 40% of learners would be adversely affected by the changes.

UCU leader Sally Hunt said that the government should also assist.

"If the government really wants people settling in this country to be English speakers it must realise it has to invest the money," she said.

"It also needs to realise that this is actually investment and not a cost.

"We need a proper joined-up approach from government to ensure that no individual requiring Esol is debarred through long waiting lists or an inability to pay."

She added that the prime minister and Chancellor Gordon Brown had been encouraging non-English speakers to go on Esol courses and thousands had responded by doing so.

She added: "I cannot believe we find ourselves in this ridiculous situation. Esol classes were a success story.

"It is about time the employers were made to do their bit and help with the funding.

"We have learnt that the voluntary option does not work and it is time they were forced to foot some of the bill as well as reap the benefits."