📰 Adult Literacy News Summary

Overhauling the NHS app is at the heart of UK healthcare plans, but it could leave some people behind

11-Jul-2025 - UK

The UK government’s ten-year health plan promises a radical digital transformation of the NHS. A key part of this change is said to come from developing the NHS app, which is being hailed as a “doctor in your pocket”. The upgraded app will apparently offer features like instant health advice, appointment booking, prescription management and access to personal health records. But while it may herald a new era of convenience for many, it risks leaving behind anyone who struggles with an increasingly digital world.

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National Literacy Charity Attends No.10 for Launch of National Year of Reading 2026

10-Jul-2025 - UK

With one in four children leaving primary school below the expected reading standard, a charity providing crucial reading support is proud to be a key part of the Government’s National Year of Reading 2026 – a nationwide initiative aimed at reigniting a love of reading among children across the country. Marking the start of this ambitious programme, Schoolreaders’ Founder and Chair of Trustees, Jane Whitbread, attended the official launch event at 10 Downing Street earlier this week.

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Predicting adult literacy and numeracy: Findings from the British cohort study

10-Jul-2025 - UK

This study investigates factors that predict adult literacy and numeracy using a large, stratified, and nationally representative sample of 5397 adults (48.6 % females) in the UK. Results showed that parental social status (at birth), childhood intelligence (at age 10), teenage internal locus of control (at age 16), educational qualifications and occupational levels (at ages 26 and 30) were all significantly and positively associated with adult literacy and numeracy (at age 34).

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Child literacy scheme achieves 'excellent results'

09-Jul-2025 - UK

A literacy initiative which was launched in secondary schools has achieved "excellent results", the States of Guernsey has said. The Thinking Reading programme was launched at the start of the academic year to help improve the reading ability of students in Year 7. The government said the scheme was part of the education committee's commitment to "closing the literacy gap for students most in need".

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Growing demand for English language courses in Donegal

08-Jul-2025 - Ireland

More than 1,500 people in Donegal are registered on special courses to assist them in learning the English language. The figures were revealed at this week’s meeting of the Donegal Education and Training Board (ETB). English classes for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) are administered through Donegal ETB and are held in locations all around the county. Such is the demand that there are waiting lists to start courses in some areas.

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Trump’s Funding Delay Will Devastate Adult Literacy Programs

07-Jul-2025 - USA

The Education Department is refusing to spend $715 million to educate adults who do not have a high school diploma or who are English learners

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Read Easy South Dorset appeal for new reading volunteers

07-Jul-2025 - UK

A reading charity is calling for new volunteers to help adults improve their literacy skills. Read Easy South Dorset, which covers Weymouth, Portland, and Dorchester, offers free one-to-one reading coaching for adults. The group is now appealing for more volunteers to join its team of coaches to meet growing demand.

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Parents Urged: Read More to Boost Kids' Life Chances

06-Jul-2025 - UK

Education Secretary urges parents to swap scrolling with reading as she launches a National Year of Reading for 2026 to boost kids' literacy and life chances. The Education Secretary is calling on parents to lead by example and make reading a daily habit to help reverse the decline in reading for pleasure, to help give kids the best start in life as part of the Plan for Change.

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Some education grants in limbo were used for ‘leftwing agenda,’ Trump administration says

02-Jul-2025 - USA

The Trump administration has accused states and schools of using federal education grants earmarked for immigrants’ children and low-income students to help fund "a radical leftwing agenda". The administration this week withheld more than $6 billion intended for after-school and summer programs, English language instruction, adult literacy and more, saying it would review the grants to ensure they align with President Donald Trump’s priorities.

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Reading comprehension improves amongst Scotland pupils

02-Jul-2025 - UK

Five years on from the disruption of lockdown, young readers are engaging with more challenging books—and understanding them better – according to a new study authored by a University of Dundee education expert.

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