Speech and language services get 5m improvement fund

The cash will fund a pilot scheme to identify good practice in providing support for children with speech, language and communication needs.

Evidence from the pilot will be used to develop a national framework for services.

The money will also help finance the recruitment of a new communication champion, as well as a research programme into the cost-effectiveness of interventions for children with speech, language and communication needs.

Balls said the government is determined to remove the barriers some children face when trying to communicate.

He said: "John Bercow's groundbreaking review identified that local services need to improve. We are now implementing his recommendations to make that happen. From children with a limited vocabulary to those with severe impairments, we're now taking action to improve services across the spectrum."

Kamini Gadhok, chief executive officer of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists claimed government is delivering on its promise to improve services for children with speech, language and communication needs.

She said: "The speech and language therapy profession will enthusiastically support these developments."

Clare Tickell, chief executive of Action for Children, welcomed the announcement of funding.

But she said: "It is imperative that local authorities and primary care trusts work together with the voluntary sector to provide vulnerable children with the help they need to make their voices heard."