A major national campaign to tackle a ‘worrying decline’ in reading for pleasure among children and young people across the UK has been launched, with high-profile backing from sports stars and literary giants.
A National Mission to Rekindle the Joy of Reading
Unveiled at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium, the National Year of Reading 2026, branded ‘Go All In’, is a collaborative effort between the government and the National Literacy Trust. It aims to address stark statistics showing that only one in three children aged 8 to 18 now reads for enjoyment in their free time. The gender gap is pronounced, with just 26% of boys reading for pleasure compared to 39% of girls.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson framed the initiative as a critical national endeavour. “Some of my happiest childhood memories are of reading with my grandad, getting lost in The Chronicles of Narnia together,” she shared. “I want every child to feel that same joy... Through the National Year of Reading and our Plan for Change we are making sure every child and young person has access to a wide range of books.” She urged families to dedicate just 10 minutes a day to reading together.
Stars Rally Behind the ‘Go All In’ Campaign
The campaign has assembled a formidable roster of ambassadors to champion the cause. They include England women’s football team captain Leah Williamson, bestselling authors Richard Osman, Cressida Cowell, Michael Morpurgo, and Julia Donaldson, alongside musician George the Poet and actor Paterson Joseph.
“Pick up a book, listen to an audiobook, get stuck into articles on whatever you love,” encouraged Williamson. “It all counts.” Richard Osman emphasised the timeless value of books, stating, “in an increasingly noisy, complicated world, reading is our quiet superpower.”
The initiative promotes reading in all its forms—whether novels, comics, blogs, or audiobooks—focusing on personal interests as the key gateway to engagement.
Building on a Foundation of Literacy Support
The National Year of Reading builds upon existing government measures designed to bolster literacy from primary school upwards. These include:
- A new mandatory reading test for all Year 8 pupils.
- A £5 million investment to support reading in secondary schools.
- A £10 million fund to ensure every primary school in England has a library by the end of the current parliament.
Jonathan Douglas, Chief Executive of the National Literacy Trust, called the campaign a “once-in-a-generation opportunity to reinvigorate the UK’s relationship with reading and change people’s life stories.” The year-long programme will feature national events, local activities, and a drive to recruit 100,000 literacy volunteers nationwide.
With over a quarter of children leaving primary school without reaching the expected reading age of 11, the push to make reading a central, joyful part of daily life has never been more urgent.
