The government have told five English councils, including Waltham Forest, that they must adopt new policies to tackle issues of segregation in their communities.

The Integrated Communities Strategy will see £50 million of government funds invested over the next two years to improve community relations in affected areas.

The aim is to create a “stronger, more united Britain.”

Waltham Forest has been selected to receive some of the funds in an attempt to build a more inclusive and cohesive community.

Communities secretary Sajid Javid said: “"Britain can rightly claim to be one of the most successful diverse societies in the world. But we cannot ignore the fact that in too many parts of our country, communities are divided, preventing people from taking full advantage of the opportunities that living in modern Britain offers. 

“Successive governments have refused to deal with the integration challenges we face head on, preferring to let people muddle along and live isolated and separated lives. 

“We will put an end to this through our new strategy which will create a country that works for everyone, whatever their background and wherever they come from.”

Emphasis will be on educating students to encourage them to form meaningful relationships with people from different backgrounds.

New measures will include the provision of more English-speaking classes, running conversation clubs, promoting British values in school curriculums and creating more opportunities, particularly for women.

Another tactic will encourage higher and a greater emphasis on the National Citizenship Service – a volunteering scheme that gets 16 to 17-year-olds involved in community projects.

Matthew Ryder, Deputy Mayor for Social Integration, Social Mobility, Community Engagement, said: “The Government releasing its own Social Integration Strategy today shows how the London Mayor’s focus on this area, over the last couple of years has now become a part of mainstream policy across the country.

"However, unless the Government confronts how its cuts are currently hindering social integration, this strategy is in danger of merely paying lip service to an important issue, without prompting any real change to improve people’s lives.”

A spokesman for Waltham Forest Council said: “We are pleased to be one of five pilot sites chosen to spear head the Government’s new Integration Strategy. Waltham Forest is a wonderfully diverse place and we are looking forward to sharing and building on our strengths in successfully bringing communities together.

“The money we will receive from Government over the next two years will enable us to fund innovative new ideas for supporting people to come together in their local communities to help themselves and each other: reducing social isolation and improving personal, social and economic wellbeing.

“We look forward to developing ideas in partnership with local people and to sharing our learning with the four other pilot sites and representatives from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.”