Local authorities in the UK spent more than $30 million US on translation last year.

Some councils paid out more than £100,000 ($163k) in 2009 to render documents into such diverse languages as Mongolian, Bengali and Tagalog for the benefit of immigrants.

The disclosure has led to condemnations by campaign groups such as the TaxPayers' Alliance, which says immigrants should be made to learn English instead of being provided with translations in their native language.

TPA Chief Executive Matthew Elliott told reporters: Even the Government has accepted that the practice of translating endless documents into obscure languages is a waste, so these councils have no excuse. It is counter-productive in terms of social cohesion. We should be encouraging migrants to learn English, not spending taxpayers' money making it easy for them not to bother.

The Daily Express newspaper cited a payslip translated into Flemish for £100 and a business card into Chinese for £30 as examples excess.

Translation company Lingo24, who requested the information from almost 400 local authorities across the country, called it phenomenal and unnecessary wastage.

The Local Government Association, however, said the £20m bill was an improvement on previous years, with local spending on translation down £5m since 2006.

Translation has its place to ensure people can access vital services, find jobs and get their children into school, an LGA spokesperson told the press. However, translation should not be a substitute for learning English and all public bodies need to adopt a common-sense approach.

17 January 2010