Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Delayed Speech: Disadvantaged Children

Monday 21 June 2021 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government's education recovery plan includes 17 million for the Nuffield early language intervention programme
  • Schools can use recovery funding for additional therapies like speech and language
  • Nuffield early language initiative has screened nearly a quarter of a million children

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Caroline Ansell Con
Education Children & Families
Context

The question addresses the increase in delayed speech development among young children from disadvantaged backgrounds as a result of the pandemic.

Question

What steps are being taken to tackle the rise in delayed speech among reception-age children from less privileged backgrounds caused by the COVID-19 outbreak?

Answer from Vicky Ford

The Government's education recovery plan includes £17 million for the Nuffield early language intervention, an evidence-based programme targeting reception-age children needing extra support. This initiative has helped 60,000 children in this academic year, with 40% of primary schools signed up.

Answered
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Q2 Geraint Davies Lab
Children & Families
Context

Before the pandemic, half of disadvantaged children had speech delays at school entry. The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists found that since then, fewer speech and language therapies have been available to children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Question

Prior to the pandemic, 50% of disadvantaged children suffered from speech delay upon entering school. Post-pandemic, these children, especially those in poorer areas, face reduced access to speech and language support. Will the Minister ensure extra resources are provided for these children, with both digital and physical support, to enhance their life opportunities? Furthermore, will she meet me and the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists to discuss this matter?

Answer from Vicky Ford

Schools can use recovery funding for additional therapies such as speech and language, and this has already happened. We have provided Barnett consequentials to Wales along with other funding. The Nuffield early language initiative, which nearly a quarter of a million children have been screened for, is encouraging and beneficial in England.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask regarding meeting the Royal College was not addressed.

How: Encouraging Wales To Look At Nuffield Early Language Initiative

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