The UK Government has announced a National Year of Reading in 2026 to counter the decline in reading among children and young people. The initiative has already received the support of all the major publishers. The hope is to “kick start a reading revolution” as just one in three aged eight to 18 said they enjoyed reading in their free time in 2025.
The scheme is being run by the Department of Education which said: “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.”
It continued: “Reading for pleasure isn’t just a hobby. It’s 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.”
The Government says the Year will build on the action already underway to drive high and 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.
The education secretary, Bridget Phillipson 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 government’s Plan for Change.
The National Literacy Trust is to distribute over 72,000 new books 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 a 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 reimagine how we understand, support and promote reading. Reading is the foundation of a successful life – the key to unlocking potential, strengthening social cohesion, enhancing wellbeing and boosting skills.”
The education secretary added: “added: “As someone whose love of reading was sparked in childhood, I know just how powerful books can be in shaping young lives. Reading holds the keys to so much of children’s education, so the decline in reading for pleasure among young people should sound alarm bells loud and clear. 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.”
Funding has come from the Julia Rausing Trust, Arts Council England, Stuart Roden, Penguin Random House, Hachette UK, HarperCollins, Bloomsbury, Macmillan Publishers International, Oxford University Press, Simon & Schuster, Pearson Shared Services, Cambridge University Press, John Wiley & Sons, Bonnier, SAGE Publishing, Faber, Canongate, Magic Cat Publishing, Sweet Cherry Publishing, Nosy Crow, Ransom Publishing, b small, Pickatale and the Booksellers Association.
