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.