argues Applied Language Solutions. The cost is more likely to be nearer £500 million!
December 19, 2006 (Press Release) --
Applied Language Solutions, a UK based translation agency who work closely with Government, argue that the estimated figure of £100 million for translation and interpretation services to the UK Government is greatly underestimated, and that the actual cost is likely to be as high as £500 Million.
Gavin Wheeldon, Managing Director of Applied Language, said: “Cultural and language diversity is part of society and translation will not go away; only grow due to increasing immigration numbers and EU expansion. Europe’s translation industry is worth £3.5 billion, with UK the biggest player. The top translation companies in the UK alone collectively provide £146.87 million worth of translation per year. Although it is difficult to put an accurate figure on UK Government’s spend, it is certainly possible to recognise that the report’s figures are conservative.”
“The report only specifically outlines translation use by just five key government departments. This doesn’t take into consideration a huge number of government funded bodies outside of these departments who regularly purchase translation and interpretation. Further to this, translation and interpretation is quite often a hidden cost deep within other budgets, such as legal and marketing or disguised as project costs, rather than funds specifically allocated for translation.”
Applied Language provide translation and interpretation services to many different local governments, public and emergency services, educational establishments and many other public bodies and quangos, and agree with Ruth Kelly that a review of money spent on language services is required, especially as it is set to further increase by 5%.
Gavin said: “The Home Office alone spends an estimated £50 million a year on translation and interpretation. One local council based in the South informs us that they spend £500,000 a year on translation and interpreting services. When you consider that there are 650 local councils in Britain who require translation and interpretation to varying degrees, it is possible to see that spend by local councils alone easily amounts to £150 - £300 million per year.”
“This extends further down the line to a whole host of Government funded bodies and quangos, such as Citizens Advice Bureau, Refugee Councils and Housing Associations, of which there are 3,000 who each regularly purchase translation and interpretation to communicate with non-English speaking tenants.”
“Printing costs of translated documents is also excessive. Public sector bodies often print in large volumes, which are then often left on the shelf. A scheme should be put in place to print on demand.”
It is therefore possible to see how difficult it is to estimate the actual cost of translation. However, if we consider the scope of government departments and funded bodies who purchase translation and interpretation, it is justifiable to state that at least £500 million is spent on these services, which would account
Gavin Wheeldon, Managing Director of Applied Language, said: “Cultural and language diversity is part of society and translation will not go away; only grow due to increasing immigration numbers and EU expansion. Europe’s translation industry is worth £3.5 billion, with UK the biggest player. The top translation companies in the UK alone collectively provide £146.87 million worth of translation per year. Although it is difficult to put an accurate figure on UK Government’s spend, it is certainly possible to recognise that the report’s figures are conservative.”
“The report only specifically outlines translation use by just five key government departments. This doesn’t take into consideration a huge number of government funded bodies outside of these departments who regularly purchase translation and interpretation. Further to this, translation and interpretation is quite often a hidden cost deep within other budgets, such as legal and marketing or disguised as project costs, rather than funds specifically allocated for translation.”
Applied Language provide translation and interpretation services to many different local governments, public and emergency services, educational establishments and many other public bodies and quangos, and agree with Ruth Kelly that a review of money spent on language services is required, especially as it is set to further increase by 5%.
Gavin said: “The Home Office alone spends an estimated £50 million a year on translation and interpretation. One local council based in the South informs us that they spend £500,000 a year on translation and interpreting services. When you consider that there are 650 local councils in Britain who require translation and interpretation to varying degrees, it is possible to see that spend by local councils alone easily amounts to £150 - £300 million per year.”
“This extends further down the line to a whole host of Government funded bodies and quangos, such as Citizens Advice Bureau, Refugee Councils and Housing Associations, of which there are 3,000 who each regularly purchase translation and interpretation to communicate with non-English speaking tenants.”
“Printing costs of translated documents is also excessive. Public sector bodies often print in large volumes, which are then often left on the shelf. A scheme should be put in place to print on demand.”
It is therefore possible to see how difficult it is to estimate the actual cost of translation. However, if we consider the scope of government departments and funded bodies who purchase translation and interpretation, it is justifiable to state that at least £500 million is spent on these services, which would account
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