81 Billion Pounds Sterling a Year Cost to the UK Economy Through High Illiteracy

OXFORD, England, January 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

The World Literacy Foundation is releasing its preliminary report The Economic & Social Cost of Illiteracy: A Snapshot of Illiteracy, its Causes and Consequences in the UK. Figures in the report estimate that illiteracy is costing the UK 81 billion pounds each year in lost wages, business profits, welfare benefits and social programs.

UK Literacy Facts

Fast facts

• At least six million adults are functionally illiterate.
• One in five adults struggle to read and write.

Education & Employment

• Children from the poorest homes are almost a year behind middle class students by the time they start school.
• People with poor literacy have the lowest levels of full-time employment at age 30.
• 70% of men with poor literacy and numeracy were in manual jobs compared to 50% of those who were competent in both.
• 370,000 parents in London struggle with literacy. This means 1 in 5 mums and dads may not be able to read with their children.
• A 2011 CBI survey showed 42% of employers are not satisfied with the basic use of English by school and college leavers.

    Speakers:              World Literacy Foundation CEO Andrew Kay
                           World Literacy Summit Chairman and international
                           literacy academic Dr. Anthony Cree
    NOTE:                  Andrew Kay and Dr. Anthony Cree will be available for interviews
 
    Date:                  Wednesday 25 January 2012
    Time:                  11am
    Location:              Novotel Hotel
                           Paris Suite
                           113 Lambeth Road
                           SE1 7LS LONDON
    More information:      Andrew Kay on 078-6793-3115 or email
                           andrew.kay@worldliteracyfoundation.org