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Parents urged to read more to boost children’s life chances

07 Jul 2025

Today, Secretary of State for Education, Bridget Phillipson, announced that 2026 will be The National Year of Reading.

The National Year of Reading 2026 is a campaign to address the steep decline in reading amongst children, young people and adults. It is a Department for Education initiative, in collaboration with us, the National Literacy Trust, as their delivery partner of the campaign.

The National Year of Reading will position reading as a powerful contemporary activity and will aim to engage new audiences in reading and to change the national reading culture for good.  

Reading is central to the Government’s Plan for Change: it supports success in school, work and in life, boosts wellbeing, brings people together and increases empathy.

Multi-sector partners are joining forces to get the nation reading and we hope that you will join us.

Please find the Department for Education’s press release below.

Read the press release in full from the Department for Education
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