This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/education-12079784

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Leading writers condemn children's book funding cut Government to reduce funding for free books charity
(about 9 hours later)
Leading writers have condemned a government decision to withdraw funding from a charity that provides free books to children to encourage reading. The government has insisted it is not withdrawing all funding for a charity that gives free books to children, after criticism from top writers.
Booktrust will lose its £13m support for schemes in England from April. The education department said it was renegotiating its contract for England with Booktrust to "better target resources at the poorest families".
Author Philip Pullman called it an "unforgiveable disgrace", and ex-poet laureate Sir Andrew Motion said it was an "act of gross cultural vandalism". Booktrust received £13m in 2009-10. Publishers also contribute millions.
The Department for Education said ministers had to take "tough decisions in difficult economic times". Writers including Philip Pullman had reacted angrily when it was suggested the charity may be unable to continue.
'National institution' Children's writer Mr Pullman said that would be an "unforgiveable disgrace", while ex-poet laureate Sir Andrew Motion warned of "an act of gross cultural vandalism".
href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/dec/26/booktrust-funding-cut-pullman-motion" >Children's writer Mr Pullman told the Observer: "Bookstart is one of the most imaginative and generous schemes ever conceived. Mr Pullman described the charity's work as "one of the most imaginative and generous schemes ever conceived".
"To put a gift of books into the hands of new-born children and their parents is to help open the door into the great treasury of reading, which is the inheritance of every one of us, and the only road to improvement and development and intellectual delight in every field of life." href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/dec/26/booktrust-funding-cut-pullman-motion" >He told the Observer: "To put a gift of books into the hands of newborn children and their parents is to help open the door into the great treasury of reading, which is the inheritance of every one of us, and the only road to improvement and development and intellectual delight in every field of life."
Sir Andrew said Booktrust had become a "national institution and the envy of the world". Sir Andrew Motion said Booktrust had become a "national institution and the envy of the world".
"The savings made by its abolition will be negligible, the damage done will be immense," he said. 'Tough decisions'
Bookstart provides packs to parents when their babies are first born and then further books at later stages in their development. The charity provides packs of books to parents when their babies are first born and again at later stages in their development.
The project started in 1992 and has received money from the government since 2004.The project started in 1992 and has received money from the government since 2004.
It is funded separately by the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.It is funded separately by the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
'Joy of reading' The book gifting schemes have been universal, including families that can afford to buy books, because the charity says targeted programmes struggle to reach all families most in need.
Co-founder Wendy Cooling was awarded the MBE in 2008 for services to children's literacy. A Department for Education spokesman said: "In these difficult economic times, ministers have to take tough decisions on spending."
Bookstart chief executive Viv Bird said she was "immensely surprised and disappointed" to hear that funding would be withdrawn. But he added: "It is wrong to say that the department will not be supporting Booktrust in the future. We are discussing the shape of a new contract with the organisation to ensure we better target resources at the poorest families.
Labour leader Ed Miliband said: "The abolition of Bookstart will deprive children of an early opportunity to discover the joy of reading." "Additionally, we hope book gifting schemes will continue to benefit from support from UK publishers, who have always borne the lion's share of the costs of them."
Ms Bird said the charity would be seeking other sources of support. Booktrust says that, through support by publishing companies, it can generate £4 of value for every £1 of government money.
A Department for Education spokesman said: "We believe homes should be places that inspire a love of books and reading. Charity co-founder Wendy Cooling was made an MBE in 2008 for services to children's literacy.
"However, in these difficult economic times ministers have to take tough decisions on spending and the particular fund managed by Booktrust will end at the end of this financial year."