Adult literacy
Adults who have picked up basic skills will have improved their children’s chances of success.
Carol Taylor, Director of Operations NIACE, TES Oct 2009
There are 12.6 million people in the UK who struggle with their literacy. The one in six people in the UK who currently struggle with literacy are less likely to be in employment, in good health, in good housing and satisfied with their lives as a result[1].
Half of people without functional literacy are out of work, whereas three-quarters of those with good literacy skills have jobs.
Why skills will not get you up and over, Joseph Lee, TES Oct 2009
Improving literacy skills as well as transforming individual lives will also refresh our communities and boost the economy. People with good literacy skills are far more likely to be involved in their community, trust people and consider their communities to be safe[2]. Research from the KPMG foundation in 2007 conservatively estimated the cost to the UK economy of low literacy skills at £1.73bn per year[3].
Negative perceptions of reading are stronger amongst our target audience – the C2/D/E sections of the population (as referred to by the National Readership Survey social scale). Only 24% of C2/D/E parents believe that people who read more are likely to be more successful: parents with literacy needs are often reluctant to improve their skills and do not see the benefit of doing so[4].
To address these issues the NLT works to inspire and create opportunities for those most in need. We support those who work with learners through our innovative programmes, information and research. We bring together key organisations to lead literacy promotion in the UK. Our strategic aims are to:
- empower learners of all ages
- support professionals
- influence policy and practice
These are delivered through our projects and cross cutting policy and research programme. The NLT does not deliver specific projects targeted at adult learners.
Developed with the National Literacy Trust, the Vital Link supports practitioners from the library and learning and skills sectors to help them reach out to adult literacy learners.
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[1] Literacy changes lives, Dugdale & Clark, 2008
[2] Literacy changes lives, Dugdale & Clark, 2008
[3] The Long Term Costs of Literacy Difficulties, KPMG Foundation, 2006
[4] National Year of Reading Pre Wave, TNS Consumer, 2008
Related News Stories
This Reading for Life campaign was a pilot which ran in the summer of 2009, designed to encourage families to read together on their holidays, funded by the Department for Children, Schools and Families.
Read moreTalk To Your Baby
NLT's campaign to encourage parents and carers to talk more to children from birth to three.
Partners in Literacy
Formerly Family Reading Matters, NLT's project Partners in Literacy is working with local authorities to establish a strategic and coordinated approach to literacy.
