Policy

The National Literacy Trust's policy and research work aims to improve literacy attitudes, habits and skills by influencing policy and practice. Underpinning our work is a commitment to evidence-based policy and practice in order to empower learners of all ages and support professionals. In order to develop cutting-edge practice that really does change lives, we also listen to the views and opinions of children, young people, their parents and practitioners through our survey work and project evaluations.

This site contains an overview of literacy policy in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as NLT policy statements and responses to consultations.

New

Policy/consultation responses

• NLT response to the Bercow Report [pdf]
• NLT response to the DIUS informal adult learning consultation [pdf]
• Recommendations to the Independent Commission on Social Mobility [pdf] The NLT's response to the commission set up by Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg MP
• Jim Rose Primary Review: Call for evidence
• Lifelong learning and technological change, sponsored by NIACE

NLT policy papers

• The impact of age on pupils' reading [pdf] The NLT looks at possible impacts of age on pupils' reading.
• Literacy changes lives - implications for policy and practice [pdf] The NLT looks at our report on how literacy can change lives. Read the Literacy changes lives report
• Literacy under the Conservatives [pdf] The NLT assesses Conservative policy on literacy
• Speech by Lyn Brown MP [Word] Given by the Chair of the All Party Group on Literacy and Libraries at the Public Libraries Conference, Friday 13 June 2008

Latest policy news from the press

• The cultural offer for children The NLT assess the literacy implications of the Government's cultural offer for children [Word]
• Young people's self-perception as readers The policy implications of recent NLT research which looks at young people's attitudes to reading [Word]
• Are the literacy targets impossible to reach? [pdf]
• Literacy and the Children's Plan
• PIRLS (Progress in International Reading Literacy Study, second round, which assessed the literary attitudes and attainment of 10-year-olds in England)
• The Children's Plan: Building brighter futures
• Breakthrough Britain
• Overview of literacy policy in England
• Comprehensive Spending Review 2007
• Primary review news and information
• NLT assesses Gordon Brown's track record on literacy
• White Papers, Green Papers and reports affecting literacy
• The National Literacy Strategy 
• Key Government initiatives in education
• Who's who in national education government
• The different approaches to educational structure within the UK
• The government reponse to boys' underachievement