A former schoolteacher in the northeast of England has highlighted the region’s alarming adult literacy rates, with 17% of individuals aged 16 to 65 reading at or below the level of a nine- to 11-year-old. Inspired by a documentary featuring Jay Blades, who learned to read at 51, Kerry Clegg launched efforts to teach adults literacy skills. Mrs. Clegg emphasised the life-altering consequences of low literacy, such as the inability to comprehend medical instructions, leading to profound impacts like the loss of child custody or limited dietary choices. Read Easy, the organisation she brought to the region, aims to address this issue by helping adults learn to read. The National Literacy Trust stresses the urgency of the problem across all age groups, highlighting children’s challenges in reading and communication. Meanwhile, the Department for Education touts the success of the education system, citing improved reading standards among primary children.
