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Houses of Parliament hosts launch of Speech, Language and Communication Alliance – Signalling hope for children and young people across the UK

February 6, 2025

Left to right: MP Jess Asato, Daniel (Speech Bubbles) and Co-Chairs of the Speech, Language and Communication, Stephen Parsons and Jane Harris

Yesterday, 5th February, the Speech, Language and Communication Alliance was officially launched at the House of Lords. The event marked a milestone in the drive to improve support and initiate government change for children and young people with speech, language and communication challenges in the UK.  

The Alliance seeks to ensure the UK Government and national and local policymakers are prioritising this group of 1.9 million children and young people when developing policy and legislation.  

The event united Alliance members and prominent supporters, including Stephen Morgan, Minister for Early Education, who sent a video message of support. The event was hosted by Lord Touhig and attended by MP for Lowestoft, Jess Asato.  

Lord Touhig, Vice President of the National Autistic Society, welcomed attendees and highlighted the importance of uniting efforts to tackle the issues facing those with speech and language challenges. 

Lord Touhig said: “Speech, language and communication are the bedrock of learning, social interaction, and emotional well-being. When children struggle to communicate, it affects every aspect of their lives. The Speech, Language and Communication Alliance has a vital role to play in advocating for these children and young people, ensuring that their needs are recognised and addressed at the highest levels of government.” 

Addressing the Alliance, Stephen Morgan, Minister for Early Education, said: “Thank you for all the work that you do to support families and hold government to account. We want to have challenging conversations about how the future could look and the opportunities ahead. I look forward to working together to transform children’s life chances across the country.” 

Jane Harris, CEO of Speech and Language UK, and Stephen Parsons are the Co-chairs of the Alliance, and delivered speeches outlining its vision and key goals.  

Jane Harris, underscoring the  importance of the Alliance and its long-term goals said:  “No Parliament has adequately represented the 1.9 million children with speech and language challenges – we are counting on all of you to do better. If you want to successfully reform the SEND system, if you want more children to be ready for school, if you want fewer children to experience mental health problems, then you have to start talking far more about the role of speech and language challenges in all of those goals.”   

Co-chair, Stephen Parsons said: “Our collective mission is simple: to improve the lives of children with speech, language and communication challenges – and  driving the policy changes necessary to ensure they receive the support and opportunities they deserve. The launch event was a significant moment in making strides towards our shared hope that through collaboration, education and advocacy we can forge a future where every child – regardless of their background – has the opportunity to reach their full potential.” 

Attendees heard testimonials from those personally affected by these challenges –  each pressing reminders of the state of the nation’s current crisis point.  

There is currently a record high 1.9 million children experiencing speech and language challenges, according to charity, Speech and Language UK.1  

Speech, language and communication challenges are not limited to a child’s ability to talk or understand words – they shape every part of their life, influencing their learning, social interactions and emotional well-being into young adulthood.  

Children with these communication difficulties are six times more likely to be behind in English and eleven times more likely to be behind in Maths at age 11.2 They will also be twice as likely to be unemployed as young adults3 and will account for two thirds of the young offender population.4 

The launch of the Alliance demonstrates that tackling the root causes of these challenges requires both political will and practical solutions. The moment for change is here, and by working together, we can create a future where every child has the support they need to thrive.  

MP for Lowestoft, Jess Asato, said: “There are 1.9 million children currently struggling with speech, language and communication challenges. Improving outcomes for them is vital. This is the time for action not honeyed words.”

-ENDS- 

 

For more information, or to arrange interviews, please contact: 

SpeechandLanguageUK@thisisstand.com 

Amelia Moran: amelia@thisisstand.com | SpeechandLanguageUK@thisisstand.com 

About the Speech, Language and Communication Alliance 

There are 33 organisations that are part of the Speech, Language and Communication Alliance. These are: 1Voice Community Together, Ace Centre, Afasic, Artburst, Auditory Verbal UK, Better Communication CIC, British Association of Teachers of the Deaf (BATOD), NCFE International / Cache, Charlton Park Academy and CENMAC, Cleft Lip & Palate Association (CLAPA), Commtap CIC, Communication Matters, Connections in Mind CIC, Contact, Cued Speech, Elklan, English Speaking Board, English Speaking Union, Kids, The Makaton Charity, NAPLIC, National Literacy Trust, The PACE Centre, Sense, The Signalong Group, SMIRA(Selective Mutism Information & Research Association), Speech and Language UK (formerly I CAN), Speech Bubbles, STAMMA, St Catherine’s, The Symbol Trust, Talking Mats, The Children’s Trust, The Elizabeth Foundation, Voice 21 

The Alliance is supported by Pears Foundation. 

You can find out more information, including a full list of members, here. 

 

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. Together we can achieve it. 

 

 

References  

  1. Speech and Language UK, Listening to unheard children report, 2023  
  2. Save the Children, 2016: https://www.savethechildren.org.uk/content/dam/gb/reports/policy/early-language-development-and-childrens-primary-school-attainment.pdf 
  3. Cohen, N. J., Farnia, F., & Im-Bolter, N. (2013). Higher order language competence and adolescent mental health. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 54(7), 733-744: https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.12060 
  4. Bryan, K., Garvani, G., Gregory, J. and Kilner, K., 2015. Language difficulties and criminal justice: The need for earlier identification. International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders, 50(6), pp.763-775. Bryan 2015.pdf
Left to right: Lord Touhig, MP Jess Asato, and Co-Chairs of the Speech, Language and Communication, Stephen Parsons and Jane Harris