While it is common knowledge that Government departments are notorious for their use of jargon and official language, and there have been calls recently for school reports to use plain English, some departments are making inroads into the problem.

I'm pleased to be able to say that my Ministry, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, is one that is working hard to produce information that is easily understood.

Paragraphs that can confuse and befuddle the general reader are not on: plain English is the name of the game and anyone who doubts need only take a look at the Ministry's 'Before You Borrow Money' guide (http://www.consumeraffairs.govt.nz/publications/index.html), which was recently short-listed for the 'Best Plain English Document for the Public Sector' category of the 2009 WriteMark Plain English Awards.

The guide features 10 questions consumers should ask before taking out a loan, and provides a checklist to work out how much a loan will cost in total in the long run. The Awards' judges described it as:

"an extremely practical document, setting out in a clear and accessible way the questions everyone should ask before signing on that dotted line during a financial deal. The Ministry knows where people need to use this document – often when under pressure – so it makes the most vital information quickly accessible. This can only help to prevent people getting into further financial difficulty."

Although narrowly beaten to the winning position by the Ministry of Justice's 'Parents' Guide to Making Plans for Their Children after Separation' document, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs should be very proud of its efforts. Plain English documents with clear and practical information can are a refreshing change from some of the official materials offering information, sadly much of it confusing.