Children with speech problems face being sidelined, warn MPs

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John Bercow - who is leading a review into provisions - said many children were still not being helped early enough.

"In the worst case scenario children who have speech, language and communication problems and don't get help can end up coming out of education at 16 suffering mental health problems and fail to be functioning members of society, even descending into criminal behaviour," he said.

Over 89,000 school-aged children have speech and language difficulties as their main special educational need with more having lesser difficulties or being undiagnosed. Their needs range from mild stammering to serious communication difficulties caused by accident or illness.

The independent review, commissioned by the Children, Schools and Families Secretary Ed Balls and Health Secretary Alan Johnson, will be the first review for seven years.

It will make recommendations that aim to ensure every young person up to 19 years old with speech and language difficulties gets support as early as possible.

The final reports will be published next summer and the Government will formally respond afterwards.

Mr Bercow visited the special needs unit at West Green Primary School in Haringey, London today. He said children had "every chance" of going into mainstream schooling if they have help early in life.

"A lot of parents around the country have said it's not available when they want it and when they need it unfortunately," he added.

Mr Balls said: "The Government has done a great deal to invest in language support in recent years but I know parents want us to do more. That means local authorities, schools and the NHS working even closer together.

"I look forward to the review presenting some hard practical recommendations to improving the quality and provision of services."