Member Article

Leading UK businesses pledge to tackle UK literacy challenge

Today the National Literacy Trust is launching the 2022 Vision for Literacy Business Pledge. The award-winning Pledge, which has grown year on year, is now in its seventh year, and 88 businesses have committed to working to improve literacy levels in the UK. The Vision for Literacy Business Pledge is a powerful example of businesses, charities, communities and schools, working together to prioritise literacy skills. In the new Department for Education Schools White Paper published yesterday, it is estimated that 90% of children leaving primary school at the expected level for reading, writing and maths could be worth over £30 billion to the UK economy.

This year Siemens, Burberry and Cleary Gottlieb are among 88 UK companies who have signed the Vision for Literacy Business Pledge 2022, which was founded by the National Literacy Forum, a coalition led by the National Literacy Trust and supported by KPMG. The Pledge provides a framework for business action to close the literacy gap. Each business signatory has pledged to help raise literacy levels, boost the economy and improve social mobility by taking clear action in three areas: through their employees, in their local community and at a national level. The National Literacy Trust will support businesses taking action to improve literacy levels both locally and nationally.

Jonathan Douglas, Chief Executive of the National Literacy Trust, said:

“Literacy remains one of the UK’s greatest challenges and can only be solved by schools, charities, businesses and the public sector working together. This year we are delighted to have the support and commitment of so many fantastic UK businesses, to help transform the lives of young people through literacy, creating a society where all children and young people – no matter what their background – have the same opportunities to fulfil their potential. We look forward to working together to equip more children with the skills they need to change their life stories”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Imogen Daldy .