Call for immigrant 'briefing packs'

The information may tell new arrivals from Eastern Europe and elsewhere that, for example, the British like to queue at the Post Office and bus stop, and frown on spitting in the street.

The Commission on Integration and Cohesion will admit that mass immigration has been "unsettling" for many communities in the country, but will offer a host of recommendations to boost integration.

So-called "Britishness tests" are compulsory for foreigners who want to take UK nationality but there is no requirement for other immigrants to learn about British life.

The cultural packs would be drawn up by local councils according to circumstances in their area, a commission spokeswoman said.

"The packs might say that we like to queue at the Post Office and the bus stop and we don't really like spitting in the street," she said.

"Things like that sound very simple but can drive members of the settled community barmy - when it might be that new arrivals just don't know about things like that."

Local authorities will be asked to identify potential immigration "hot spots" and develop tactics in response. It could involve drawing up "contracts" for new arrivals that would set out the expectations of local people, and also define what is and is not acceptable behaviour.

However, the contracts would not be legally binding, the spokeswoman said.

The independent commission was set up by Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly last year. It has found that areas of the country which have never experienced mass immigration, such as rural areas, are now having to adapt to population change.