đź“° Adult Literacy News Summary
10-year adult ed rescue plan would boost economy by ÂŁ22bn, says L&W
08-Oct-2025 - UK
The government, employers, and individuals should inject an extra ÂŁ2.2 billion every year over the next decade to restore skills attainment to 2010 levels, boost the economy and save ÂŁ8 billion annually for the taxpayer, a think tank has said. Learning and Work Institute (L&W) has today unveiled a decade-long roadmap to reverse government and employer cuts in training investment and undo the decline in adult literacy and numeracy skills
Read moreScotland's bookshops hailed as haven for young and old amid mental health crisis
08-Oct-2025 - UK
Scots are being urged to celebrate their high street stores ahead of national Bookshop Day on Saturday, October 11. The nation’s bookshops have been hailed a haven for people suffering from mental health issues and a place for kids to discover the joy of reading. Next Saturday, October 11, marks Bookshop Day in the UK and Ireland – and it comes as Scotland faces both a mental health crisis and falling child literacy rates.
Read moreBloomsbury introduces dyslexia-friendly range of bestsellers in 'industry-first'
06-Oct-2025 - UK
Bloomsbury Publishing has launched a range of dyslexia-friendly editions, “an industry-first initiative” transforming 11 bestselling adult titles into a format specifically for adults with dyslexia.
Read moreMP visits food bank and support groups in Southampton
03-Oct-2025 - UK
Last month, I had the opportunity to talk to one of the team leaders from Read Easy in Southampton, a local group that provides free one-to-one coaching for adults who struggle to read.
Read moreWhy a new birth cohort study matters for civil servants across the UK
02-Oct-2025 - UK
Children born today will grow up in a very different world to that experienced by previous generations. That world has been shaped by era-defining changes in technology (including the growth of the digital world), society (including dramatic changes in how we work) and the environment (including the impact of climate change). Findings from the 1970 British Cohort Study underpinned the “Skills for Life” initiative, improving adult literacy rates by 13%.
Read moreHow playing a musical instrument helps children learn to read
02-Oct-2025 - UK
Music training seems to boost reading skills in young children by enhancing their ability to recognise and manipulate the sounds that make up words. Learning to play an instrument has long been linked to improved early reading abilities, as well as mathematical ones, but how it does this wasn’t clear, because playing an instrument involves many skills.
Read moreCheltenham Literature Festival has record-breaking year at box office
02-Oct-2025 - UK
The Times and the Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival has had a record-breaking year at the box office in 2025. Over 100,000 ticketholders attended more than 400 events at this year's event, with Cheltenham Festivals saying its bumper ticket sales reaffirm 'the enduring power of literature festivals'. The 10-day celebration of the written and spoken word featured a host of high-profile names, including Joanna Lumley, Miriam Margolyes, Graham Norton, Richard Osman, Joanna Page, Jaqueline Wilson, David Suchet and many more.
Read moreGreater Glasgow library services shortlisted for SLIC Awards
01-Oct-2025 - UK
Three Greater Glasgow library services have been shortlisted for prestigious awards. The annual Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC) Awards celebrate library teams and projects that are transforming communities across Scotland. They highlight innovative literacy programmes, inclusive community hubs, and other initiatives that have made a significant impact
Read moreBridget Phillipson pushes back at criticism over potential Year 8 reading tests
30-Sep-2025 - UK
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson defended the need to assess schoolchildren’s reading after a union backlash over the expected introduction of mandatory tests for 13-year-olds. The Government is set to introduce compulsory reading tests at the end of Year 8 in England under plans in the forthcoming Schools White Paper.
Read moreQufu hosts UNESCO education prize
29-Sep-2025 - China
The birthplace of philosopher Confucius, Qufu in Shandong province, hosted the award ceremony of the 20th UNESCO Confucius Prize for Literacy on Saturday evening where projects from Bangladesh, Ireland and Morocco were recognized for their contributions to innovation in education and the promotion of equal access to learning.
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