Parents across the UK are being encouraged to swap screen time for story time, as Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson announces a bold new campaign to spark a national reading revival.
Launched on 6 July 2025, the National Year of Reading 2026 will begin in January next year, aiming to reverse a worrying decline in reading for pleasure among children and young people. Just one in three 8–18-year-olds said they enjoy reading in their free time, according to the latest data.
Backed by the Department for Education and the National Literacy Trust, the initiative is part of the government’s wider Plan for Change to boost literacy and improve life chances for children, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
“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,” said Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson.
“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.”
The campaign will involve families, schools, libraries, businesses, and literacy experts, encouraging everyone to make reading a daily habit. Just 10 minutes of reading a day has been shown to significantly improve a child’s literacy, confidence, and well-being. It’s also linked to higher future earnings, up to £65,000 more over a lifetime for those proficient in reading and writing by the end of primary school.
Currently, more than a quarter of children leave primary school without meeting expected reading standards. The figure rises to 40% for children from white working-class backgrounds and 59% for those with special educational needs.
The Year of Reading builds on recent investments, including £27.7 million to support reading and writing in primary schools, as well as targeted support for struggling readers in secondary education. The government is also continuing to expand its network of English Hubs, which provide expert support for early reading.
To help kick-start the campaign, the National Literacy Trust will distribute over 72,000 free books this summer to children in areas with the highest levels of child poverty, supporting positive reading habits at home. This complements the Summer Reading Challenge, which aims to keep children engaged in reading throughout the holidays.
Jonathan Douglas, CEO of the National Literacy Trust, welcomed the announcement:
“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.”
The campaign is supported by more than 30 organisations, including the Premier League, Arts Council England, Julia Rausing Trust, the Publishers Association and a range of UK publishers. A dedicated website and calendar of events will be launched to engage families and schools throughout 2026.
Clare Sumner, Chief Policy and Social Impact Officer at the Premier League, said:
“The Premier League has worked alongside the National Literacy Trust for nearly 25 years to inspire children to develop a love of reading. We look forward to playing our part in this national effort.”
The Year of Reading aims to unite sectors and communities to redefine reading as a vital, enjoyable, and accessible activity for all children, regardless of their background. As Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson put it, “By making reading a daily habit, even just 10 minutes a day, we can help give kids the best start in life.”