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Government to reduce funding for free books charity Government to reduce funding for Booktrust charity
(about 2 hours later)
The government has insisted it is not withdrawing all funding for a charity that gives free books to children, after criticism from top writers.The government has insisted it is not withdrawing all funding for a charity that gives free books to children, after criticism from top writers.
The education department said it was renegotiating its contract for England with Booktrust to "better target resources at the poorest families".The education department said it was renegotiating its contract for England with Booktrust to "better target resources at the poorest families".
Booktrust received £13m in 2009-10. Publishers also contribute millions.Booktrust received £13m in 2009-10. Publishers also contribute millions.
Writers including Philip Pullman had reacted angrily when it was suggested the charity may be unable to continue.Writers including Philip Pullman had reacted angrily when it was suggested the charity may be unable to continue.
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". Children's writer Mr Pullman said that would be an "unforgivable disgrace", while ex-poet laureate Sir Andrew Motion warned of "an act of gross cultural vandalism".
Mr Pullman described the charity's work as "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".
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."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 Motion 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".
'Tough decisions''Tough decisions'
The charity provides packs of books to parents when their babies are first born and again 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.
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. Booktrust chief executive Viv Bird said a letter had arrived from the Department for Education a week ago saying that 100% of its government funding would be cut.
But she told BBC News that, in a conversation on Sunday morning, Education Secretary Michael Gove had "committed his support for Booktrust book-gifting programmes so that every child will continue to have access to the gift of a book".
She said that the charity would hold talks with the government in the new year about the level of continued public funding.
A Department for Education spokesman said: "In these difficult economic times, ministers have to take tough decisions on spending."A Department for Education spokesman said: "In these difficult economic times, ministers have to take tough decisions on spending."
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.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.
"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." "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."
Booktrust says that, through support by publishing companies, it can generate £4 of value for every £1 of government money.Booktrust says that, through support by publishing companies, it can generate £4 of value for every £1 of government money.
Charity co-founder Wendy Cooling was made an MBE in 2008 for services to children's literacy. The book-gifting schemes have previously been universal, including families that can afford to buy books, because the charity says targeted programmes struggle to reach all families most in need.
Booktrust co-founder Wendy Cooling was made an MBE in 2008 for services to children's literacy.