National Year of Reading 2026 to launch a 'reading revolution'

The Department for Education has announced a National Year of Reading 2026 to 'kick start a reading revolution' which aims to halt the decline in children's reading for pleasure.

A range of research by organisations including the National Literacy Trust, Booktrust and publisher Farshore has shown that reading for pleasure has reached an all-time low since the organisations began to track it. This year, just one in three aged 8 to 18 said they enjoyed reading in their free time.

The Department for Education has joined forces with the National Literacy Trust to launch the National Year of Reading 2026, with the aim of 'reversing the trend' and increasing the number of children and young people who enjoy reading in their spare time.  "Bringing together parents, schools, libraries, businesses and literacy experts, the campaign aims to foster a love of reading for pleasure in children and young people, ensuring all children get the best start in life," the department said in a statement.

Focus on family reading

The Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson is calling on parents to lead by example and make reading a daily habit to help reverse the decline in reading for pleasure, to help give kids the best start in life as part of the Plan for Change.

She said, "This can't be just a government mission. It needs to be a national one. So, it's time for all of us to play our part, put our phones down and pick up a book.

"When parents take the time to read with their children early on, they lay the foundations for strong literacy skills, helping kids to be school ready. By making reading a daily habit, even just 10 minutes a day, we can help give kids the best start in life, as part of the Plan for Change."

Lifetime benefits of reading for pleasure

Reading for pleasure is linked to a range of benefits including stronger writing skills, improved wellbeing and confidence, and even higher future earnings, with new data showing those proficient in reading and writing in primary school earn £65,000 more over their lifetime, yet over a quarter of children are now leaving primary school without meeting the expected standard in reading. This grows to 40% for children from white-working class backgrounds and to a staggering 59% for those with special educational needs.

Government investment in literacy

The department is already investing in rising standards in literacy, including investing £27.7 million to support the teaching of reading and writing in primary school and targeted support for struggling readers in secondary school, as well as the ongoing curriculum and assessment review. There are also efforts to break the link between a child's background and what they go on to achieve by boosting early literacy skills with the expansion of the government's network of English Hubs.

The campaign will begin this summer, as the Summer Reading Campaign run by The Reading Agency gets underway, with the distribution of over 72,000 new books by the National Literacy Trust to children in areas with the highest rates of child poverty to support positive reading habits at home. 

CEO of the National Literacy Trust, Jonathan Douglas, said: "At time when we are witnessing the lowest levels of reading enjoyment and daily reading in a generation, we are delighted to be working with the government to deliver the National Year of Reading 2026 - a bold, society-wide campaign to re-imagine how we understand, support and promote reading.

"The National Year of Reading 2026 presents an opportunity to join forces across sectors and redefine reading as a powerful, contemporary activity for a generation. Working closely with schools, families, libraries, communities and partners across the country, we will make reading a shared national mission - because every child, no matter their background, deserves the best start in life and every adult deserves to get the best out of life."

School and community events and activities are promised. More than 30 organisations have so far pledged their support including the Publishers Association and a range of publishers, Arts Council England, the Premier League, Booktrust and The Reading Agency, which is behind the Summer Reading Challenge.

CEO of the Publishers Association, Dan Conway, said that a "wide range" of publishers of all sizes have contributed financially and the whole publishing industry is "ready to get behind this campaign to ensure it sparks lasting behaviour change". He added, "This is a once in a generation opportunity for us to work with the government and make a huge difference for the benefit of society."

The Education Secretary will address businesses and leading literacy advocates today, 7th July, at No.10 to rally further support ahead of the National Year of Reading.

Find out more and get involved at www.nationalyearofreading.org.uk/