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Minister of State for Children and Families announced as keynote speaker at National Literacy Trust conference
9 Nov 2010
Minister for Children and Families, Sarah Teather, has been announced as the keynote speaker at the Literacy Leaders conference (1 December) for leaders in local government.
Currently 75% of local services regularly encounter people with literacy difficulties, yet 50% of these do nothing. The National Literacy Trust is already working in partnership with 21 authorities to improve literacy levels by targeting support to the most disadvantaged communities. The Leaders in Literacy conference will show how authorities working with the National Literacy Trust have had a tangible impact in their communities and give other authorities the chance to get involved. Delegates will see how the development of strategic approaches are enabling local areas to embed literacy support in the work of partners including housing officers and midwives, making sure no-one falls through the net.
Minister and keynote speaker at the conference Sarah Teather says:
“I appreciate the work that the National Literacy Trust is doing to help build improved literacy amongst children and agree that a strategic, multi-agency approach is vital to ensuring that every child develops the literacy skills that they need to succeed throughout their education and later life.”
Director of the National Literacy Trust Jonathan Douglas says:
“Since 2004, literacy levels in the UK have stagnated. One in six adults in the UK has poor literacy and this figure is not changing. The annual costs of poor literacy have been estimated conservatively at £1.73 billion. In these times of austerity literacy is a way for people to help themselves.
“Poor literacy skills are part of a vicious cycle of factors that lead to disadvantage and poverty of opportunity. Research shows the links between low literacy and crime, poor health choices, special needs support, low educational attainment and unemployment.”
The National Literacy Trust has been working with local authorities to improve literacy levels for over sixteen years. This work has focused on improving literacy support for the most vulnerable. As every community is different, the National Literacy Trust always works in partnership with local areas.
There are limited free places at the conference. To find out more or to register for the Literacy Leaders conference please call 020 7820 6258 or email conferences@literacytrust.org.uk .
If you have any queries about the National Literacy Trust’s work with local authorities please contact Emily McCoy on 020 7840 9558 or Emily.Mccoy@literacytrust.org.uk
Ends
Further details about the conference:
Literacy: Leaders in Local Government Event
Wednesday 1 December 2010
12:00 to 17:30: Institute of Directors, Pall Mall, London
17:30 to 19:00: Drinks, reception and networking
Notes to Editor
For further information or to arrange an interview with National Literacy Trust Director Jonathan Douglas please contact Anna Lindsay, National Literacy Trust Public Relations Officer on 020 7820 6256 or Anna.Lindsay@literacytrust.org.uk
About the National Literacy Trust
The National Literacy Trust is an independent charity that transforms lives through literacy. We believe that society will only be fair when everyone has the literacy skills they need to communicate, to fulfil their potential and to contribute more to society. We campaign to improve public understanding of the vital importance of literacy, as well as delivering projects and working in partnership to reach those most in need of support.
To help us transform lives through literacy, you can make a donation. To find out how visit http://www.literacytrust.org.uk/support
National Literacy Trust is a registered charity no. 1116260, and a company limited by guarantee, no. 5836486. Registered in England and Wales. Registered address: 68 South Lambeth Road, London SW8 1RL. Tel: 020 7587 1842.
