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Written question asked by Baroness Grey-Thompson (Crossbench) on Monday, 23 June 2025, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 7 July 2025. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern (Labour) on Thursday, 10 July 2025 on behalf of the Department for Education.

Children: Communication Skills and Literacy

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to boost (1) literacy, and (2) communication skills, of children aged 0–5 years old.

Answer

Giving young children the best start in life is the foundation of the government’s Opportunity Mission. The department has set a milestone of a record proportion of children starting school ready to learn. We will measure progress through 75% of children at the end of reception reaching a good level of development in the early years foundation stage profile assessment by 2028.

To support early language and literacy skills, the department is:

  • Funding the Nuffield Early Language Intervention programme (NELI), which is an evidence-based programme targeting reception aged children needing extra support with their speech and language development.
  • Funding the Early Years Evidence Store, which includes a theme on Communication and Language and supports educators to put evidence-informed approaches into practice.
  • Working with NHS England to deliver the Early Language Support for Every Child pathfinders.
  • Working with partners to deliver the Early Language Local Innovation and Excellence programme, which includes implementation of Speech and Language Communication pathway guidance and an early language identification measure.
  • Funding the English Hubs Programme, which is dedicated to improving the teaching of reading, with a focus on phonics, early language development and reading for pleasure. The reading framework provides guidance for schools to help improve reading for all pupils.
  • Investing £10.7 million in 2025/26 to deliver home learning environment services through Family Hubs. These services help parents create language-rich, nurturing settings that support early communication, confidence, and literacy. The Little Moments Together campaign complements this by providing free, accessible resources that encourages parents to chat, play and read with their children, simple, everyday actions that support early development.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL8714
Session
2024-26
Subjects
Children Standards Communication skills Literacy
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk