PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
VOLUNTEER READING HELP (No. 2) (9 February 2006)

That this House notes that the national charity Volunteer Reading Help has over 2,500 volunteers who work to help disadvantaged children develop a love of reading and learning and that it has delivered valuable services supporting over 100,000 children in this field for over 30 years; recognises that learning to read is a fundamental part of a child's development; further notes that informal learning opportunities outside the classroom can act to stimulate individual growth and help prevent offending behaviour in the future; acknowledges that volunteering can give people the confidence to enter or return to full-time employment; commends Volunteer Reading Help for their continued and vital contribution in improving the education of young people throughout the UK; and hopes that they will continue to receive the necessary encouragement, support and finance from national, regional and local government to enable them to continue and expand their most valuable work in the future.

Sponsored by:
Dr Rudi Vis (Labour)