Merton is one of the first 25 organisations in the UK to be accepted onto the scheme, and is only the 11th local authority to have done so.

The process involved an assessment of the web site to check on the language used on everything from the benefits service to refuse collection.

Also looked at was how usable the site was in terms of its navigation and graphic design.

Councillor Mark Allison said: “We are very happy to receive this recognition for our web site as further demonstration of our corporate commitment to ensuring all our communications are clear and jargon free.”

The Plain English Campaign is an independent pressure group formed in 1979 to fight gobbledygook and unclear public information.

The campaigning work includes annual awards for good use of plain English, and the infamous ‘Golden Bull’ booby prizes.

The Campaign’s Crystal Mark seal of approval is based on rigorous testing on the public.
See: http://www.merton.gov.uk/webteam/crystalmark.asp

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PRESS CONTACT – Georgina Hart 0208 545 3483

Notes to Editors:
Plain English Campaign is an independent pressure group based in New Mills, Derbyshire, fighting for public information to be written in plain English. Their self-funded group relies entirely on income from commercial services, which include editing and training. They do not accept outside grants or charity.

The London Borough of Merton is a corporate member of the Plain English Campaign and is committed to making its documents free of jargon and easy to use for members of the public.

See other members of the Internet Crystal Mark scheme at: http://www.plainenglish.co.uk