§ John MannTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the levels of literacy in coalfield areas are, and how this compares with the national average for citizens born in the United Kingdom.[82248]
§ Mr. MilibandThe information is as follows:
(a) Levels of literacy in coalfield areas
The following table shows estimated literacy levels in the main coalfield districts (those districts with more than three 'coalfield wards').
558W
District name Percentage of population with 'low', 'lower' or 'very low' literacy Dover 23.9 Cannock Chase 25.6 Lichfield 21.0 Newcastle-under-Lyme 25.1 Staffordshire Moorlands 23.0 Stoke-on-Trent 27.6 Tamworth 26.7 North Warwickshire 23.2 Nuneaton and Bedworth 26.0 Amber Valley 25.0 Bolsover 27.6 Chesterfield 26.2 Erewash 24.3 North East Derbyshire 23.7 South Derbyshire 22.1 Hinckley and Bosworth 22.3 North West Leicestershire 24.1 Ashfield 27.0 Bassetlaw 24.4 Broxtowe 22.3 Gedling 22.2 Mansfield 26.6 Newark and Sherwood 24.0 Selby 22.3 Barnsley 28.3 Doncaster 27.2 Rotherham 27.5 Sheffield 25.8 Calderdale 26.3 Salford 27.6 Wakefield 26.8 Wigan 25.9 St. Helens 26.4 Middlesbrough 28.9 Chester-le-Street 25.3 Derwentside 27.4 Durham 27.4 Easington 30.4 Alnwick 26.2 Blyth Valley 26.6 Castle Morpeth 21.3 Newcastle upon Tyne 25.8 Wansbeck 29.1
District name Percentage of population with 'low', 'lower' or 'very low' literacy South Tyneside 29.0 Sunderland 28.8 National average = 24 per cent. Note:
Data at ward level are available as a searchable database on the Basic Skills Agency (BSA) website at www.basic-skills.co.uk/datasite/, which also contains data by parliamentary constituency and by local Learning and Skills Council area
(b) Levels of literacy of citizens born in the United Kingdom
The most detailed survey of basic skills in Britain is "Adult Literacy in Britain", published in 1997. This reported that 20 per cent. of the UK population born in the UK had low levels of literacy, compared with 41 per cent. of those born outside the UK.
The categories of skills referred to in the table above are defined as follows:
'Average or Above'—Someone in this category will be able to satisfactorily complete most tasks, given that they were straightforward and commonly encountered in everyday life. Respondents were allowed to make some mistakes without being classified as below average or in need of help'Low'—These respondents will be regarded as on the borderline of functional literacy and could attain the national standards in literacy and numeracy with relatively limited coursework or assistance'Lower'—These respondents have limited literacy and numeracy skills and would need directed assistance in order to reach the national standards. They would be expected to have difficulties in coping with at least some of the everyday literacy and numeracy requirements they encounter'Very Low'—These people have severe literacy and numeracy problems and would need intensive assistance to reach national standards.