Councils told to speak properly
Councils need to connect more with the public the association fbelieves
Monday, 23, Jun 2008 12:00
Councils in the UK have been ordered to speak to people in normal English after the Local Government Association (LGA) found political lingo was disconnecting local authorities from the public.
Council leaders and staff have been given a list of 100 words they should avoid at all costs.
The list includes the phrases streamlined (efficient), Third Sector (charity) and best practice (preferable way of going about something).
Sir Simon Milton, LGA chairman, said: "The public sector cannot, must not and should not hide behind impenetrable jargon and phrases.
"We do not pretend to be perfect, but, as this list shows, we are striving to make sure that people get the chance to understand what services we provide."
Other discouraged phrases include 'process driven', 'core message' and 'sustainable communities'.
Marie Clair, from the Plain English Campaign, welcomed the move.
"The councils are one of the greatest promoters of jargon, goobldegook and crimes against plain English," she said.