The new laws were revealed yesterday in the Immigration Bill, which is government's latest response to spiralling immigration levels in Britain

Requirement will apply to both applicants and existing staff, who may be moved to different job if they cannot reach the required level of language

All staff workers will have to have the equivalent of a C in GCSE English

Migrants who can't speak English fluently will be banned from working in millions of public sector jobs under new laws, it emerged last night.

All state workers who deal directly with the public – including policemen, social workers, teachers and council officials – will have to have the equivalent of a C in GCSE English.

The requirement will apply to both applicants and existing staff, who could be moved to a different job if they cannot reach the required level.

Ministers said speaking English was a 'fundamental part of integrating into society'.

New laws: All state workers in the UK who deal directly with the public – including policemen (file picture), social workers and council officials – will have to have the equivalent of a C in GCSE English under new laws

The new law, revealed in the Immigration Bill yesterday, prompted critics to warn it showed the extent to which immigration from Europe was out of control.

Tory MP Andrew Percy said: 'People should not be allowed to come into this country to work at all unless they can speak English or Welsh to the right standard.

'Non-EU migrants already have to pass English tests. It's our membership of the EU and free movement rules that means we have to let in people who can't.'

The law will also:

Create a criminal offence of driving unlawfully in the UK with jail terms of up to six months.

Enforce the principle of 'deport first appeal later' in human rights cases.

Allow the seizure of earnings from illegal workers and the forced closure of 'rogue' businesses.

Allow electronic tagging of foreign criminals let out on bail.

The English language test will form part of a code of practice covering all public sector workers in 'customer facing' positions which could come into force within months.

Test: The requirement will apply to both applicants and existing staff, who could be moved to a different job if they cannot reach the required level. Above, thousands of teachers (file picture) will also be affected

It is designed to improve the 'quality efficiency and safety' of public services. All public bodies will be under a duty to obey the new rules for all full time staff and temporary workers.

Officials said existing workers will be given time to 'get up to speed'.

However, if after a certain period – thought to be around six months – they have failed to improve their English, they face being moved to a back office roles.

The code will also contain a complaints process so members of the public can report concerns about particular staff members.

Since March this year nurses from the EU applying to work as nurses in the NHS have had to undergo language tests as have midwives, dentists and pharmacists.

People should not be allowed to come into this country to work at all unless they can speak English or Welsh to the right standard Andrew Percy, Tory MP

Even tougher language tests for doctors were brought in last year after a long-running row with Brussels which argued it would breach free movement rules.

It followed the case of Daniel Ubani, a German doctor with poor English, who injected David Gray, 70, with ten times the safe amount of pain killer diamorphine.

Cabinet Office minister Matt Hancock said: 'We are controlling immigration for the benefit of all hard-working people. That includes making sure that foreign nationals employed in customer-facing public sector roles are able to speak a high standard of English.

'We have already introduced tough new language requirements for migrants, now we will introduce new legislation in the forthcoming Immigration Bill to deliver the commitment made by the Prime Minister to go further.'

The Bill is the government's latest response to spiralling immigration levels in Britain.

Net migration – the difference between numbers arriving and leaving – hit a record high of 330,000, figures revealed last month.

Aides say the aim is to reduce 'pull factors' and create a more hostile environment for those without the right to be here, so they are encouraged to return home.

Warning: The new laws, revealed in the Immigration Bill yesterday, prompted critics to warn they showed the extent to which immigration from Europe was out of control. Above, border security at Heathrow Airport

The new driving offence could see illegal immigrants jailed for up to six months and then deported or hit with swingeing fines and losing their cars.

Kebab shops and late night takeaways and off-licences will be closed if they are caught employing illegal workers.

The new code will fulfil a Tory manifesto commitment. It promised 'to ensure that every public sector worker operating in a customer-facing role must speak fluent English'.

It added: 'Being able to speak English is a fundamental part of integrating into our society.'

Immigration minister James Brokenshire said: 'The message is clear – if you are here illegally, you shouldn't be entitled to receive the everyday benefits and services available to hard-working UK families and people who have come to this country legitimately to contribute.