Matt Hancock launches charitable foundation calling for early identification of dyslexia

The West Suffolk MP's dyslexia was only identified after leaving school, aged 18

Matt Hancock
Author: Sian RochePublished 20th Sep 2023

West Suffolk MP Matt Hancock's launching a charitable foundation - which which he hopes will champion the early identification of dyslexia, as well as other neurodiverse conditions.

The former health secretary says The Accessible Learning Foundation (known as ALF) will push for a wider understanding of neurodiversity in schools, prisons, and the workplace.

Mr Hancock, whose dyslexia was only identified after leaving school, aged 18, says: “The Accessible Learning Foundation aims to end the quiet scandal that sees around four-in-five dyslexic children leave school with their dyslexia unidentified...

“I was one of the lucky ones whose dyslexia was caught early enough, but there are far too many children who don’t receive the support they need.

“It’s completely unacceptable that 80% of dyslexic children leave our schools with their dyslexia unidentified because it doesn’t have to be that way.

“Finding out I was dyslexic was a lightbulb moment...

"It changed my life and I want every child to have the same opportunity to change their life too,

Speaking ahead of tonight’s launch, the MP continued: “With broader and more accessible screening, more neurodiverse children will be identified - and more children will get the support they need, right from the start.

“For the last two years I have campaigned for all children to be screened for dyslexia before they leave primary school.

‘ALF’ will continue this fight and push for changes to Government policy to ensure all primary school children are screened for neurodiversities.”

“Finding out I was dyslexic was a lightbulb moment"

The former Cabinet Minister explained: “Although 40 per cent of successful entrepreneurs are dyslexic, it’s estimated that so too are over half the prison population.

“There are also correlations between dyslexia and unemployment, drug usage, school exclusions and homelessness. These are the knock-on effects of undiagnosed dyslexia.

“It is shocking that 57% of prisoners have a reading age lower than that of an 11- year-old. We should make prison governors accountable for reading standards to help prisoners into work and out of a cycle of crime.

“When prisoners have access to education and training, they become less likely to reoffend and find it easier to return to work.

“To give all prisoners an equal chance to learn, ‘ALF’ will push for better identification and understanding of dyslexia and other learning differences, as well as highlight the benefits of extra support with reading and learning.”

First for all the latest news from across the UK every hour on Hits Radio on DAB, at hitsradio.co.uk and on the Rayo app.