Parliamentary group puts dyslexia on schools agenda

CHANGES to the school curriculum across the country could be triggered by a new all-party Parliamentary group on dyslexia which has been group started by West Somerset MP Ian Liddell-Grainger (pictured).
Around 200 members of the House of Commons and the Lords have now signed up to the Dyslexia Parliamentary Group.
The group has already won the attention of Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools, Lord Andrew Adonis, who wants to be kept informed of its progress.
Mr Liddell-Grainger, who is dyslexic, was told it was the first time anybody had started such a group in Parliament.
He said: “It is also one of the biggest groups in the House and, as well as MPs and peers, the various dyslexia groups in the UK are signing up to it.
“One thing that is already clear and which we have found absolutely horrifying is the attitude of so many local education authorities towards children with dyslexia.
“The way they work and operate is just not good enough.
“Taking the country as a whole, there are hundreds of cases of young people with educational problems like dyslexia that are just not being addressed.
“As chairman of the Parliamentary Dyslexia Group, I am determined to make it better.”
Mr Liddell-Grainger said Lord Adonis had been ‘immensely supportive’ and had agreed to address the group.
He said: “Not only that, but he would like us to look at the way the country is working in providing special educational needs for children.
“So, the group wants to come up with a strategy that can be adopted into the curriculum by schools throughout the UK.”
Photo submitted.

MP demands debate on threat to close West Somerset sub-Post Offices

A PARLIAMENTARY debate to try to save some of West Somerset’s sub-Post Offices from being closed by the Government is being demanded by the district’s MP, Ian Liddell-Grainger.
Mr Liddell-Grainger is leading cross-Party calls for the debate after failing to obtain a list from the Government of local sub-Post Offices which could be doomed under plans to close 2,500 in the next 18 months.
He said: “I do not know whether the Government does not have a list, because the Post Office is drawing it up, or if it does have one but will not release it.
“Either way, MPs across the political divide are saying it is scandalous – we want to know where the losses will be.
“Any loss of rural Post Offices is absolutely unacceptable, so I have asked for a debate.”
Mr Liddell-Grainger said the issue had been debated in the Chamber but not in the Westminster Hall ‘where we have a better chance of bending the Minister’s ear’.
He said: “It is an unfolding disaster that started when the Government refused to allow Post Office to sell its facilities as first choice – they come after banks and building societies.
“Margaret Beckett promised there would be ongoing funding for rural Post Offices until after 2010. That promise been broken.”
Mr Liddell-Grainger is now writing to postmasters and postmistresses in the constituency ‘to keep them up to speed’ with the issue.
Our photograph above is for illustration purposes only and does not imply any direct threat of closure to the sub-Post Office concerned. Photo submitted.

MP setting up dyslexia group in House of Commons

A PARLIAMENTARY dyslexia group is being formed by West Somerset’s MP, Ian Liddell-Grainger (pictured), who is himself dyslexic.
The all-Party House of Commons group will help MPs, parents, and others to work together to address the issue.
Mr Liddell-Grainger said it was high time people with the condition were given a louder voice.
He said: “There are some excellent organisations, such as the British Dyslexia Association, which is active in West Somerset.
“But I and a few other MPs thought it would be useful to set up an official, non-political group in Parliament so that we can speak out.”
Mr Liddell-Grainger is also holding a meeting in London with the local dyslexia association.
He said: “I am delighted to have this opportunity to discuss what is or is not being done in the county for people with dyslexia.
“I am very impressed with the feedback I have been given when making inquiries in Government.
“Given that, and the strength of feeling at grass roots level, I feel we are in with an excellent chance of raising the profile of dyslexia.”
Anybody who wants to contact Mr Liddell-Grainger about dyslexia or any other relevant issue can write to him at his constituency office, 16 Northgate, Bridgwater TA6 3EU.
Mr Liddell-Grainger also has a website at www.liddellgrainger.org.uk.
Photo submitted.