Memorandum by Optimum Communications Development
Ltd
ACTION ON
PEOPLE AND
PARLIAMENT
Although it arrives after the Call for Evidence
deadline, I hope this contribution is of value since it concerns
implementing improvement to engagement with citizens.
It is self evident that to promote understanding,
Parliament must speak to people in language they are familiar
with. The problem, until now, has been that there was no benchmark
for the English used everyday throughout Britain.
Optimum's research has filled this gap and we have
incorporated the results in a software tool for benchmarking the
vocabulary used in public information. This "Everyday English
Editor" is not be confused with expensive, opinion-based
plain English consultancy. It is a fast, objective means of self
assessment that helps ensure information can be easily read and
understood by as many people as possible. Full details are available
at www.optimum-uk.com.
The Editor can help all staff and Members preparing
information for the public, whether this is delivered via Websites,
literature, presentations or videos. If the House of Lords were
to adopt this solution, if would be the first parliamentary body
in the world to benchmark its information against the language
actually used by citizens. I can think of no other way that the
House can take an immediate world lead in communication with minimum
use of internal resources at a cost of a just few thousand pounds.
2 June 2009
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