Education Select Committee report on reading for pleasure: Positive steps towards lasting change for the next generation

Reading benefits children's educational, emotional, social and cultural development, helping them understand themselves and others while strengthening communities.

We understand the vital benefits of nurturing and sustaining a love of reading however we find ourselves in mid-2026, after a 20-year low in reading for pleasure, just able to share the first positive green shoots of change.

This is the backdrop in which the cross-party Education Select Committee publish their report on Reading for Pleasure, prompted by the findings in our Annual Literacy Survey report in 2025 and informed by evidence gathered from education experts and practitioners, the publishing industry, charities - including ourselves, and children.

The report examines the complexity of barriers faced by children, education professionals and families to grow and sustain a culture of reading for pleasure and sets out their recommendations for how to create lasting change which ensures that every child, irrespective of postcode, age, gender or socio-economic background, has the opportunity to discover a love of reading.

What are the report’s key recommendations?

We wanted to examine more closely five of the report's key recommendations to reverse the trend, and explore how we are already making strides at the National Literacy Trust to ensure all children benefit from a love of reading.

Implement a national strategy

The report identified the urgent need for national and collaborative action to be taken to make systemic and lasting change.

It highlights that because of the multitude of barriers which are contributing to the falling levels of reading for pleasure - such as family pressures, poverty and unequal access to books - addressing the issue requires a broad, long-term approach rather than focusing on one factor alone.

The report recognises that reading for pleasure can be restored through sustained government leadership, long-term investment and coordinated partnerships with education, libraries, communities and the literary industry.

Report recommendations include:

• Introduce a National Reading Guarantee ensuring every child has regular access to high-quality reading materials and shared reading opportunities from birth to 18.
• Develop a cross-government Reading for Pleasure Strategy with clear targets, guidance and implementation plans.
• Fund a library in every state primary and secondary school.
• Extend the National Year of Reading 2026 into a long-term National Decade of Reading.
• Create more national campaigns promoting reading throughout the year.

So far this year, the National Year of Reading 2026 has demonstrated how a vibrant and collaborative celebration of reading in all its forms can build momentum, grow excitement and start to turn the page on perceptions of, and engagement with, reading.

However, we know that this is not something that can be addressed in one year and so, as our Chief Executive Jonathan Douglas CBE goes on to say:

Early years are critical

Enjoyment of books and shared reading in early childhood provides the foundation for lifelong reading and forms a crucial first stage for language, attachment, and cognitive development.

We agree with the report's findings that parents and practitioners, who all too often lack the confidence or training to foster positive reading experiences and nurture reading habits, need greater support.

Report recommendations

• Embed reading for pleasure in early years practitioner training.
• Revise early years guidance and inspection to prioritise reading enjoyment as well as update guidance for parents on shared reading.
• Make reading for pleasure a core part of Best Start Family Hubs through dedicated leads, book gifting, parent support and practitioner training.
• Expand evidence-based family reading programmes nationally.

We know the significant impact that can be made by focussing our support to empower and equip early years practitioners and parents with much needed skills, confidence and encouragement.

We have worked alongside practitioners in settings across the country for many years to deliver training, roll out evidence-based programmes and model best practice through our Early Words Matter campaign, early years programmes and research-led guidelines and support for the home learning environment.

Create space for reading enjoyment, not just attainment, in schools and on the curriculum

The report asserted that current education policy focuses too heavily on reading proficiency and assessment, with insufficient emphasis on developing a love of reading, particularly in secondary education and for pupils with SEND.

Recommendations include:

• Publish national guidance on effective reading for pleasure practice.
• Commission further research into effective practice in secondary schools.
• Protect dedicated reading time within the school day as well as including reading within other existing activities
• Strengthen English Hubs' focus on reading for pleasure.
• Provide ongoing teacher professional development.
• Reform GCSE English Literature to prioritise enjoyment, greater flexibility and more diverse texts.
• Monitor the Year 8 reading assessment to ensure it supports rather than undermines reading for pleasure.

We are committed to our continued support of teachers and practitioners in pursuit of our collective goal to empower all children with the literacy skills they need to thrive. This includes equipping the next generation with the tools to achieve within education and thrive in life beyond. However, we know that creating space to (re)engage children and young people with a love of reading will have lasting benefits too.

Ensure a consistent approach to equip school libraries

Access to books and libraries is essential if we are to continue to grow and engage children and young people’s love of reading. School and public libraries are fundamental to improving reading, particularly for children living in disadvantaged communities, but investment and access remain inconsistent.

Recommendations include:

• Extend funding for libraries to every primary and secondary school.
• Make school libraries a statutory requirement.
• Introduce a library development fund.
• Include library lessons in school timetables.
• Ensure all new schools include library facilities.

We know that libraries provide the heartbeat of any school's reading culture. The Education Select Committee's recommendations, therefore, speak directly to our decades-long commitment to champion school library spaces which took on new momentum in 2021 when we partnered with Penguin Books to co-found the Libraries for Primaries campaign.

Teachers can register to find out how their school can take part.

Greater investment in our communities

Not just in schools but within our communities libraries are vital for access to books, especially for families living in disadvantaged areas. Funding cuts and closures have reduced access to these important institutions.

Recommendations include:

• Restoring funding.
• Auto-enrolment of children at birth.
• A library sufficiency standard.

Every day, we work alongside local partners in some of the UK's most disadvantaged communities to deliver place-based solutions that tackle literacy challenges where they have the greatest impact on people's lives.

As an organisation we are built on a bedrock of place-based work. We are passionate about coming alongside local libraries as well as schools, sports centres, volunteers, local businesses and stakeholders who understand the unique challenges and needs their families face.

Collaboration, we all have a part to play

Fundamentally, the report's consistent thread alludes to the power of partnerships.

Strong partnerships between libraries, schools, and early years settings are crucial as means to strengthen reading in the communities.

Whilst Family Hubs and health visitors are identified as key touchpoints for embedding reading for pleasure, offering book gifting, sessions, and guidance for parents with pre-school children.

The vital role that authors, publishers, and booksellers play is also recognised in promoting reading for pleasure and improving diversity in children's literature.

Partnership is the driving force of our work at the National Literacy Trust. We understand the power and impact of working in partnership across all sectors to make lasting change to embed a love of reading.