What is the Vision for Literacy Business Pledge?
The award-winning Vision for Literacy Business Pledge provides a framework for business action to help close the literacy gap between disadvantaged young people and their more affluent peers.
The Pledge was established by the National Literacy Forum in 2015, with the support of KPMG UK. We are now in our eighth year and, so far, 97 businesses have signed up and are committed to taking action.
Our Pledge signatories engage their employees in a number of ways. Some focus their efforts on raising literacy levels in their communities. Others contribute to national campaigns such as Libraries for Primaries. The National Literacy Trust supports those who sign up for the Pledge by providing ongoing practical support.
At an event in January 2023, hosted by KPMG UK, Pledge signatories met to discuss how businesses can help promote literacy. Our keynote speaker, Ben Fletcher, made the case that businesses should build on their strengths and leverage what makes them commercially successful to support the cause. Read a summary of Ben's speech.
The Vision for Literacy Business Pledge in 2023
This 2023 Pledge is focussed on literacy and the cost-of-living crisis. Our recent research found that rising costs are disproportionately impacting the literacy of disadvantaged young people. 1 in 3 parents who are struggling financially said that they are spending less on books and educational devices for their children. This will exacerbate and entrench existing literacy inequality.
Looking ahead in 2024
The 2024 Pledge, launching in April this year, will focus on the early years and emphasise the economic importance of raising literacy levels (from early years onwards), and the role of the business community to support this.
By signing up for the Vision for Literacy Business Pledge, your business can help to ensure that every child has the literacy skills they need for life, irrespective of their background.
How can I get involved?
If you'd like to find out more, please email pledge@literacytrust.org.uk.