Our response to Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s “Plan for Change” speech

“We’re glad the Government has recognised that far too many children are starting school without being ready. Speech and language challenges are one of the biggest causes of this and the approach inherited from the last government, is failing almost two million children who are struggling to talk and understand words. This must change.

If the Government are serious about tackling this, we need training for all early years staff as well as Government funding for nurseries and Family Hubs to deliver early language interventions, rather than just for Reception classes.  We are relentlessly committed to advocating for these children and ensuring they receive the necessary support from the start of their educational journey.”

Jane Harris, Chief Executive of Speech and Language UK