Anyone who has ever struggled while on holiday abroad will recognise the value of new Government proposals to begin language lessons in primary schools.

It is a well-recognised fact the earlier children are taught a language the more naturally they will pick it up.

And tomorrow's job-seekers looking for a career in the globalised marketplace without a smattering of French, German or perhaps even Mandarin will be at a distinct disadvantage to their multi-lingual competitors from Europe.

The question is how our teachers, already performing miracles as they try to squeeze the ever-expanding syllabus into the school day, will cope with even more pressures on their workload.

Brighton and Hove's ambitious scheme to fund French lessons for seven-year-olds collapsed four years ago because there simply was not enough time in the day.

The Government must ensure it learns its own lessons and backs up this welcome scheme with enough resources to prevent another faux pas.