TEACHERS have been forced to spend up to [pounds sterling]5million of their own money to buy books and materials for the new 'literacy hour' in primary schools, it was claimed yesterday.

Half of the country's primary teachers dipped into their pockets last term to make up for shortages in funding for the Government's flagship initiative, a survey by the Association of Teachers and Lecturers found.

More than 20 per cent had spent at least [pounds sterling]50 since September to ensure pupils had the materials needed for the daily reading lessons. Seven per cent spent more than [pounds sterling]100.

Education Secretary David Blunkett says the literacy hour, launched in all 20,000 primaries in September, is central to Labour's pledge to ensure that 80 per cent of 11-year-olds achieve the expected standard in English tests by 2002.

He has already handed out [pounds sterling]2,000 to every school to buy new books and committed [pounds sterling]113million in extra funding for teachers to implement the initiative. …