Baroness Cousins on the importance of languages to GB

Baroness Cousins makes sense – why is Government turning a deaf ear.

‘According to the British Chambers of Commerce, 70% of SMEs have no foreign language ability for their markets and the deficit is greatest in the fastest growing markets. Only 0.5% have any ability in Russian or Chinese, and, with the importance of market growth in Latin America, it is equally shocking that 64% speak no Spanish, never mind Portuguese. Research commissioned by BIS and published last year estimates that the UK’s lack of language skills is costing the economy 3.5% of GDP—or £48 billion—every year. By contrast, SME exporters that do use languages proactively are achieving a far higher export-to-turnover ratio, estimated at 40% higher. Will the Government give tax breaks to SMEs that invest in language training for their workforce? It would be very good to see that in next week’s Budget.’

Statement by Bernardette Holmes, Campaign Director of Speak to the Future regarding the examination boards decision to drop 14 language GCSEs and A levels:

These decisions make no sense.  Languages matter more than ever to community development, to social mobility and to our economy.  Our rich and diverse language capital makes the UK the most attractive place for inward investment.  We need to recognise and value the multilingual capabilities of so many of our young people and build our future upon them.  At a time when business is increasingly hyper-connected across the globe, it is the very languages which face the axe that would be significant assets to our success and to the prosperity of those who speak them.  To say nothing of the intrinsic linguistic and cultural value of these languages which will no longer be taught and assessed in our schools. Please, let us unite to find solutions to reverse this decision!

TheyWorkForYou
www.theyworkforyou.com
TheyWorkForYou is a website which makes it easy to keep track of your local MP’s activities.