Where is the Government action plan for Speech and Language Therapy services?

 

Earlier this year, the UK government committed to developing an action plan to address long‐standing concerns about the availability of speech and language therapy. As a community we were hopeful that families and professionals had finally been heard and that change was coming. But as the months have passed, the promised plan still hasn’t materialised.

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The background

Speech and language therapy has long been considered a ‘postcode lottery’, with too many people unable to access timely and effective support. Even before the pandemic, only 15% of respondents to a 2018 survey by I CAN and RCSLT felt that SLT was available for children and young people as required.

Although the issues are longstanding, the situation has been further exacerbated by the pandemic, with services disrupted by staff sickness, difficulties accessing children and families and staff redeployment. Already recognised pre-pandemic as a shortage profession, SLT service managers have reported that “staff vacancy rates have risen to levels that they have never seen before”. Waiting lists are 'spiralling' and ‘demand is outstripping supply’. Bridget Phillipson, then Shadow Secretary of State for Education, described a ‘broken system’ with parents “increasingly turning to the courts to get the support that is their children’s right”.  

In March 2024, Mikey Akers tabled a petition on the UK Parliament website calling for increased investment in speech and language therapy services. It secured over 10,000 signatures in just 16 days, clearly evidencing the level of public interest and concern in this issue. The Government responded in April 2024, stating that “We recognise the impact that long waits to access speech and language therapy can have on the individual, their families and carers” and “This Government is committed to cutting waiting lists and growing the workforce to help people and their families get the support they need.”

A hopeful start to 2025

• In early January, Stephen Kinnock reaffirmed that “The Department (for Health and Social Care) and NHS England are “committed to reducing long waits and improving timely access to community health services.” This commitment to reducing waiting times for community health services has also been emphasised in NHS planning guidance for 2024/25 and The NHS planning guidance for 2024/25 and the 10-Year Health Plan for England.
• On 27 January 2025, the MP for Lichfield, Dave Robertson, led a debate in the House of Commons on Mikey Akers’ petition relating to the need for greater investment in speech and language therapy services. The debate was well attended, with politicians on all sides agreeing with the importance of speech and language therapy and attesting (sometimes personally) to the benefits it can bring. Stephen Kinnock paid tribute to the “outstanding” Mikey Akers and the “vigour and verve” of the campaigning team, before committing to meeting to “discuss the project and how to take it forward”.
• A follow-up meeting took place on 25 March 2025 which attendees felt was “extremely positive”. The group were assured that, whilst additional funding was subject to wider Government decision-making, the Government were committed to improving speech and language therapy services and to effective partnership working between the Department of Health and Social Care, the Department for Education, RCSLT and individuals with lived experience. It was explained that activities were already underway to review and develop a wide range of services, and a speech and language therapy action plan would be developed as part of this.

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Where are we now?

We’ve made a small step forward – but we’re still a long way from where we need to be.

It’s encouraging to see the Early Language Support for Every Child programme extended, with the Government pledging £3.4 million in funding this year to help identify and support children with speech and language needs earlier in primary school and early years settings.

However this funding will only reach a small subsection of those who benefit from speech and language therapy support.

Crucially, there is still no national action plan for speech and language therapy.

More worryingly, there have been no updates: no draft plans, no proposed publication dates - not even a timeline. Without an explanation for the delay, or a further statement of intent from Government, it is difficult to know what this means. But one thing is clear: without meaningful action, little is likely to change. Individuals and their families will continue to struggle to access support and speech and language therapy services will remain under significant pressure.