Chancellor must prioritise communication skills for 1.9 million children to secure long-term economic prosperity

Responding to Chancellor’s 2025 Spring Statement, the Jane Harris, Chief Executive of Speech and Language UK, said: “If the Chancellor really wanted to get young people into work and grow the economy, she needed to recognise how many school leavers lack a crucial skill for future employment.   

“Employers say they need people with good communication skills for entry-level jobs. But at least one in five young people have challenges with speech and language.   

“To secure much-needed economic growth, the Government must not only recognise the enormous gap in our young people’s skills – but must also invests in solutions to transform the life chances of millions of children. 

“We are hopeful the forthcoming Spending Review will invest in children’s speech, language and communication skills from birth to the first steps into adulthood, employment and their long-term contribution to the country’s future.”  

Notes to Editor: 

Spokespeople are available for interview. For more information or contact Peter Simpson, Media and Publicity Manager, Speech and Language UK. Email: peter.simpson@speechandlanguage.org.uk  

Phone:  0207 843 2557  Mobile: 07803 051 848    

About Speech and Language UK 

For at least 1.9 million children in the UK, learning to talk and understand words feels like an impossible hurdle. We work to give every child the skills they need to face the future with confidence.  We design innovative tools and training for thousands of nursery assistants and teachers to use in their classrooms. We run two special schools for children with complex speech and language challenges, Dawn House in Nottinghamshire and Meath in Surrey. We give families the confidence and skills to help their children. And we put pressure on politicians to prioritise help for speech and language challenges.  

We demand a country in which every child with challenges in talking and understanding words has the skills they need to face the future with confidence.