MP joins the fight to improve literacy
‘It is vital that adults who struggle get the support they need’
NAVENDU Mishra attended an event in Parliament to highlight the importance of improving levels of adult literacy.
The MP for Stockport joined forces with wellknown media personality Julian Fellowes, the Oscarwinning creator of Gosford Park and Downtown
Abbey, who is a long-time supporter of the cause of improving adult literacy rates.
The event was hosted by the Wirral West MP Margaret Greenwood and was attended by representatives from organisations including the Adult Literacy Trust, the Workers’ Educational Association, the Learning and Work Institute and the Reading Agency.
It is estimated that more than seven million adults in England – about one in six of the adult population – have very poor literacy skills.
This means that although they might be able to understand short, straightforward texts on familiar topics, reading information from unfamiliar sources, or on unfamiliar topics, can cause real difficulty.
Campaigners argue that urgent action is needed to improve adult literacy rates to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to reach their potential and to address the economic challenges the country faces.
An Early Day Motion (EDM) has been tabled by Margaret Greenwood MP in Parliament to this effect.
Speaking after the event, Navendu Mishra MP said: “I was pleased to be able to attend this event in Parliament to highlight the importance of improving levels of adult literacy.
“It is a matter of real concern that as many as one in six adults in England have very poor literacy skills.
“People who struggle to read and write experience disadvantage on a daily basis.
“These people can experience difficulty in accessing vital services including housing, social security, education, health and care services,or even in simply staying in touch with friends and family.
“Poor reading and writing skills can also make it much harder for people to secure well-paid employment.
“Literacy is invaluable in enabling people to communicate with each other and engage with the world around them.
“It is vital that adults who struggle with reading and writing get the support that they need.”
Meanwhile, Mr Mishra voted for a motion in the House of Commons to rescue NHS dentistry on Tuesday last week, as local patients find it impossible to see a dentist.
The motion tabled by the Labour Party proposed:
700,000 more urgent dentistry appointments
Incentives to recruit dentists to the areas most in need
Supervised toothbrushing in schools for three to five-year-olds
Reform of the NHS dental contract so everyone who needs a dentist can get one.
Labour says it would fund the plan by abolishing the non-dom tax status, a tax break which allows wealthy people who live and work in Britain to pay their taxes overseas.
The vote came as new figures revealed that, of the 14 dental surgeries who have provided a recent update in Stockport
constituency, six are not currently accepting any new adult patients.
The collapse of NHS dentistry has left millions of patients unable to get an appointment when they need one.
Analysis of patient survey data suggests that last year, 4.75 million people were either told there were no appointments available or the practice wasn’t taking on new patients, when they last tried to book an appointment.
Healthwatch England has reported horror stories of people forced to pull their own teeth out, with one in 10 Brits claiming to have attempted their own dental work.
A recent report from the Nuffield Trust warned that, under the Conservatives, NHS dentistry ‘is at its most perilous point in its 75-year history,’ and suggested that it may no longer be offered to all patients.
The government has launched a pilot in Cornwall where NHS dentistry will only be offered to children and the most vulnerable.
Navendu Mishra said: “Patients in Stockport are finding it impossible to see a dentist, with some having to resort to DIY dentistry.
“The Conservatives think that people should be happy with the poor service we have today.
“Another five years of the Conservatives will see NHS dentistry gone for good.
“Labour has a plan to rescue NHS dentistry from this crisis and get patients seen on time again.
“We will pay for it by abolishing the non-dom tax status, because people who live and work in Britain should pay their taxes here too.”