ADVICE to Bury Council has been set out by Tony Blair's former speech writer to boost the borough's literacy and coding ability.

Philip Collins, now a columnist for The Times, has penned a report on Life Chances setting out 25 ways the council could improve the lives of its public.

Recommendations include getting the borough up to 100 per cent literacy, making computer coding a specialism of the town and bring companies together to boost local philanthropy.

Mr Collins, who was born and educated in Bury said: "The purpose of the approach is not to tell people how they should live or what they should be interested in, although clearly the economic future of the town sets limits on the work that will be available.

"The purpose of the life chances approach is to equip people with the skills required to live a good life of their own choosing."

The "Bury Commission on Life Chances" says aside from a small minority who's learning difficulties mean they will never be able to read properly, there is no reason every child in Bury should not be able to read by age 11.

Mr Collins continued: "Bury has a singular identity, a sense of itself as a town.

"That identity was once wrapped up in the innovators of the industrial revolution in which the North West led the world.

"Some of that spirit needs to be reclaimed as Bury continues to adapt and reinvent itself."

Mr Collins was invited to lead the commission by Council Leader Rishi Shori.

He said: "We are indebted to Philip Collins for setting out the 'route map' to improving life chances for Bury residents and for boosting the town's local economy and prosperity.

"We live in difficult times and it will be essential for the Council to maximise the opportunities that devolution and the new Mayor will bring to the Greater Manchester area. This is a massive opportunity for residents and businesses and the Council will take a strong lead in securing new investment, new opportunities and new ambitions for Bury.

As Philip says in his report, "Bury is not a town with endemic problems. There is much to admire and much to commend. But there is still more that can be done."