FUNDING FOR BOOKSTART

Early day motion 1235, tabled 10 January 2011 by Lord Watson of Wyre Forest (Labour). Signed by 3 members.

That this House celebrates the work done by the national scheme Bookstart, which offers packs of free books to children under five years old and encourages book sharing; notes that for every one pound the state invests Bookstart returns a total of 25 value to society; further notes that for every one pound invested by the Department for Education Bookstart generates an additional four pounds in support from private sector partners; believes that by reading and sharing books at a young age children learn to listen, concentrate, use imagination, develop language skills and learn about themselves and the world around them; and calls on the Government to ensure the safeguarding of funding for Bookstart in 2011-12 and future years.

Signatures by party: Labour 2, Conservative 1.