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Written question asked by Alex Davies-Jones (Labour) on Tuesday, 12 March 2024, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 18 March 2024 (named day). It was answered by Damian Hinds (Conservative) on Monday, 18 March 2024 on behalf of the Department for Education.

Children: Literacy

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of having subtitles switched on as a default for children's television programmes and films on children's literacy levels.

Answer

The department has recently made an assessment of the evidence behind the Turn on the Subtitles campaign and the current evidence is inconclusive as to whether turning on the subtitles improves children’s reading. It is the choice of parents and carers whether their child watches television with the subtitles on.

The government is committed to continuing to raise literacy standards, ensuring all children can read fluently. There is a supportive package of measures in place which aims to benefit the most disadvantaged pupils and is a key step in our mission to level up education standards in England. This includes the £67 million English Hubs programme which is now in its sixth year of delivery. It also incorporates the updated Reading Framework, an updated list of validated phonics programmes, funding for the purchase of phonics programmes and the National Professional Qualification in Leading Literacy.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
18321
Session
2023-24
Subjects
Children Disability aids Television Literacy
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk