I CAN Charity responds to the spending review

I CAN Charity responds to the spending review

Carol Payne, I CAN Interim Chief Executive says:  

“We welcome the Chancellor’s announcement of extra recovery funding of £1.8bn to help schools and colleges tackle lost learning from the pandemic.  

Our research shows that 1.5 million children are at risk of not being able to speak or understand language at an age-appropriate level because of Covid. While some investment has already gone into supporting children in reception with difficulties speaking and understanding language, it is vital that this new investment expands that support across key stages 1 and 2. 

Recovery from Covid will be long-term, and historically funding for speaking and understanding has been sorely lacking. Future Governments need to continue to ensure that speaking and understanding language are central to our education system for years. The Government must commit to establishing a cross departmental speech, language, and communications strategy so that children can get the right help at the right time.  

 We know that children and young people with underdeveloped communication skills are at a much greater risk of poorer life outcomes including mental health and employability. We must ensure that more support is available to children, of all ages, with their speaking and understanding, so that they can have the best start possible.”  

For media enquiries contact I CAN press office on 07824 446989 or via media@ican.org.uk