National Year of Reading Should Extend to a Decade, Inquiry Says 2026

The National Year of Reading should be extended into a National Decade of Reading, according to a new education inquiry into reading for pleasure. The report, published Friday, calls on the government to commit to a National Reading Guarantee ensuring all children have regular opportunities to enjoy books and stories from birth to 18.

The inquiry was launched last November in response to a sharp decline in the number of children reading for pleasure. National Literacy Trust CEO Jonathan Douglas told the committee that this year’s National Year of Reading should be “turned into a decade of reading to sustain the foundations that are being laid.” Extending the initiative would make reading for pleasure a long-term priority and help embed it into all areas of education.

Why a National Decade of Reading Matters

The report argues that a decade-long focus on reading could effect “much more far-reaching change” than a single year. By keeping reading for pleasure at the forefront, schools and communities can build lasting habits among children. The proposed National Reading Guarantee would ensure that all children, regardless of background, have frequent opportunities to enjoy books, stories, and shared reading experiences.

Key Recommendations from the Inquiry

• Extend the National Year of Reading to a full decade
• Establish a National Reading Guarantee for children from birth to 18
• Encourage engagement with traditional books while adopting a broad definition of reading
• Deliver a library in every primary and secondary school
• Restore public library funding lost since 2010
• Automatically issue library cards at birth

Traditional Books vs. Digital Formats

The report emphasizes the unique benefits of traditional books. Jo Taylor, an associate professor of language and cognition at UCL, told the inquiry that “the complexity of the language in a graphic novel will not be the same as the complexity of a language in a traditional novel.” While the Guarantee adopts a broad definition of reading, it encourages children to engage with print books for richer language development.

The cross-party committee, chaired by Labour MP Helen Hayes, also calls on the Department for Education to extend its pledge to deliver a library in every primary school to secondary schools. Restoring public library funding cut since 2010 is another priority, alongside automatically issuing library cards at birth to foster early reading habits.

Takeaways for Parents and Educators

This inquiry signals a major push to reverse the decline in reading for pleasure. Parents can support this by visiting local libraries, choosing traditional books, and making reading a daily family activity. Schools should prioritize library access and dedicated reading time. The National Reading Guarantee promises to level the playing field for children from all backgrounds.

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