Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson today officially launched the “National Year of Reading 2026” at the Emirates Stadium, home of Arsenal FC, calling for a “reading revolution” to boost children’s life chances.
The campaign, a partnership between the Department for Education and the National Literacy Trust, aims to reverse a decade-long decline in reading for pleasure. Phillipson shared personal memories of reading The Chronicles of Narnia with her grandfather, stating: “I want every child to feel that same joy, whether their passion is football, fantasy, or physics.”
The Hidden Crisis: Libraries Under Threat
Despite the celebratory launch, the campaign has drawn sharp criticism from librarians and school leaders. While the government has pledged £27.7 million for early language programmes, data suggests that one in seven primary schools still lacks a dedicated library.
- The Paradox: Campaign ambassadors like Richard Osman and the Premier League are urging children to “Go All In” on reading, yet councils across the UK are currently consulting on more local library closures to balance budgets.
- The “Dormant Assets” Promise: The government has promised to deliver a library to every primary school by 2029 using £10m in “dormant assets,” but campaigners argue that books without trained librarians are merely “wallpaper.”
The Verdict: Is the National Year of Reading a genuine shift in culture, or a high-profile distraction from the physical loss of reading spaces in our communities?
