The Forgotten Promise?
When Labour announced in 2023 that it would place oracy—a term used to describe the teaching of speaking and listening skills—at the core of its educational strategy, educators, literacy experts, and equality campaigners saw it as a breakthrough. But two years later, and just weeks into a Labour government, a growing chorus of voices is asking: where is the plan?
A coalition of more than 60 influential figures, including children’s author Michael Rosen, political strategist Alastair Campbell, and two former education secretaries, Charles Clarke and Estelle Morris, has signed an open letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Their demand is simple but urgent: deliver on your promise to make oracy a central component of the national curriculum.
What Is Oracy—and Why Now?
Oracy refers to the ability to express oneself fluently and grammatically in speech. More than just public speaking, it encompasses dialogue, listening, articulation of ideas, and thoughtful communication.
Supporters argue that in an age dominated by artificial intelligence, polarised politics, and widening social inequality, oracy is more than an educational tool—it’s a societal necessity.
“The backbone of language is our talk,” said Rosen, who is now a professor at Goldsmiths, University of London. “It’s how we share our lives, understand others, and form our identities. Schools are the ideal setting to teach these vital skills.”
Labour’s Oracy Pledge—Now at Risk?
Labour’s 2023 education pledge promised that every child would have the opportunity to develop oracy skills, placing speaking on equal footing with the traditional ‘three Rs’: reading, writing, and arithmetic. But when the interim report from the government’s curriculum review was released earlier this year, oracy was conspicuously absent.
That silence has alarmed campaigners and educators who fear Labour’s vision is already losing momentum.
“Two years ago, you pledged that under your Labour government, every child would be supported to develop essential oracy skills,” the open letter reads. “We urge you to turn that promise into lasting change.”
Who’s Behind the Push?
The open letter was organised by Voice 21, the UK’s leading oracy education charity. CEO Kate Paradine made clear what’s at stake:
“Sir Keir Starmer has acknowledged the importance of oracy and the need to embed it in the national curriculum. We are now urging the government to deliver on its manifesto commitment so that every child can benefit from a high-quality oracy education.”
Other prominent signatories include:
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Alastair Campbell, now a mental health advocate and author
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Jeffrey Boakye, author and educator
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Nick Harrison, CEO of the Sutton Trust
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Rupert Knight, associate professor of education at the University of Nottingham
Campbell pointed to oracy’s importance for both personal development and national unity:
“It’s time every child had the chance to develop their oracy skills. It’s key not just to confidence and deeper thinking but also for countering the rise in polarisation.”
The Economic and Social Case for Oracy
The rationale for oracy goes beyond classroom performance. Employers increasingly cite communication as a critical “soft skill” required in the workplace. Moreover, research has shown that structured oracy education can help close the attainment gap between students from disadvantaged backgrounds and their wealthier peers.
Embedding oracy in the curriculum, advocates argue, is a step toward social mobility, mental health, and career readiness.
Government Response: Reassurance or Deflection?
In response to the growing pressure, a spokesperson from the Department for Education reiterated the government’s commitment to skills-based education:
“Our plan for change will ensure every young person, irrespective of background, develops the skills needed to succeed in work and life, including in speaking and listening.”
The spokesperson pointed to current initiatives, including:
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Continued investment in evidence-based language interventions such as the Nuffield Early Language Intervention (NELI)
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Improvements to teacher training, with greater emphasis on oral language skills
Crucially, they added that the final report from the curriculum and assessment review—expected in autumn—would consider how best to ensure pupils can “communicate fluently and confidently.”
The Stakes: A Curriculum That Prepares for Reality
As technological change accelerates and traditional jobs evolve or vanish, education systems must evolve in tandem. Literacy in the 21st century must go beyond the printed word to include how we speak, listen, and collaborate.
With AI-driven disruption and polarised public discourse becoming the norm, the absence of a coherent oracy strategy could leave the next generation underprepared—not just for jobs, but for citizenship.
If Labour is serious about its mission to ensure every child is “ready for work and ready for life,” as the party slogan goes, integrating oracy into the curriculum isn’t optional—it’s essential.
A Call for Action, Not Rhetoric
The letter’s message to Starmer is not confrontational—it is collaborative. But it is firm: honour your promise.
Rosen, Campbell, and dozens of education experts aren’t merely offering criticism—they’re offering direction.
The government now has a rare opportunity to enact lasting change in how Britain educates its youth. Embedding oracy in schools won’t just improve academic outcomes—it will build a more thoughtful, articulate, and cohesive society.
All eyes now turn to autumn’s final curriculum review report. For now, Labour’s credibility—and the educational future of millions—hangs in the balance.