Ivan Lewis

The government has launched the next phase of its campaign aimed at encouraging millions of adults who have difficulties with reading, writing and maths to get rid of their "Gremlins".

Skills minister Ivan Lewis said: "Millions of adults across the UK do not have the skills of an average 11-year-old. This lack of basic skills affects many areas of their lives - from how much they get paid, to being unable to help their children with homework.

"Tackling the problem of adult basic skills is a key priority for the government and we are determined to help 1.5 million adults improve their reading, writing and maths by 2007."

Forum Response: BUPA

Duncan Cantour, senior policy analyst at BUPA, told ePolitix.com: "Good reading skills open up opportunities. Whether you are looking for a job or a promotion, taking a test or an exam or just filling out a form, they are essential.

"Just two years ago, Britain was ranked in the bottom half of an OECD survey of 20 countries' adult literacy levels. Today, one in five adults has skill levels in literacy below those expected of an 11 year-old.

"Turning poor literacy levels around needs a two-pronged strategy. Firstly, adults need to be encouraged to 'get rid of their reading gremlins'.

"The government's existing campaign to do this should go some way to achieving this. Secondly, children need to be encouraged to read and be supported in their learning.

"However, children often need more support and guidance when learning to read than one teacher can give. This is why BUPA's Community Connections team actively encourages BUPA employees to visit local schools and help children with their reading.

"BUPA Book Buddies is BUPA's national reading partners scheme, which provides volunteer support to local primary schools. This scheme builds upon previous Community Connections reading programmes that have been established in London and Salford Quays.

"BUPA Book Buddies volunteers spend an hour per week in a local primary school to help children with their reading through a structured reading session.

"As well as trying to improve the reading age of the child, the scheme also aims to develop a love of reading, increase pupil confidence and self-esteem, and leave the children with a real sense of achievement.

"The results are impressive: spending just one hour a week over a 12 week period can improve a child's reading age by up to six months.

"It is as important for corporate Britain to involve itself in the education and development of its future workforce as it is for the government.

"BUPA believes that local community projects such as BUPA Book Buddies have a wider social impact than any financial donation and that all socially responsible companies should consider how they too could contribute in this way."