§ Mr. RosindellTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the literacy level is in(a) the constituency of Romford and (b) other population centres in Essex. [136476]
§ Mr. MilibandThe constituency of Romford falls within the London borough of Havering education authority. The Key Stage 2 English results for Havering are above average with 80 per cent. of pupils achieving the expected level for their age (level 4+) in 2003, an 11 percentage points increase since 1998, when the National Literacy Strategy was introduced. Nationally, 75 per cent. of pupils achieved level 4+ in English at Key Stage 2 in 2003, a rise of 10 percentage points since 1998.
The 2003 Key Stage 2 results for Havering, compared with those for the London boroughs of Redbridge and Barking and Dagenham, and with the unitary authorities of Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock, and with Essex local education authority are set out in the table. The table shows the percentage of pupils who achieved the expected level for their age (level 4+) in the Key Stage 2 English tests since 1998 in these areas:
1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 20031 Havering 71 78 78 79 80 80 Redbridge 70 72 77 77 78 77 Barking and 60 65 72 72 69 70 Dagenham Essex 65 71 76 75 76 77 Southend-on-Sea 63 69 72 73 75 74 Thurrock 55 60 65 68 68 66 1 Provisional