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

The National Year of Reading should be extended to a National Decade of Reading, according to a new education committee inquiry into reading for pleasure. The report, published Friday, calls for a long-term commitment to boost children's literacy and enjoyment of books.

Why a Decade of Reading Matters

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 ensure reading for pleasure “remains a long-term priority” and could be used “as an opportunity to effect much more far-reaching change to embed reading for pleasure into all areas of education,” the report states.

Key Recommendations from the Inquiry

The cross-party committee, chaired by Labour MP Helen Hayes, proposes a National Reading Guarantee to ensure all children, “regardless of background,” have frequent opportunities to “enjoy books, stories and shared reading experiences from birth to 18 as part of everyday life.” While the Guarantee adopts a “broad” definition of reading, it emphasizes that children should be encouraged to engage with “traditional” books, “recognising the particular benefits that traditional books bring.”

Expert Insights on Traditional Books vs. Graphic Novels

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.” This highlights the unique value of print books in developing advanced literacy skills.

Key Takeaways

• The National Year of Reading should become a National Decade of Reading to sustain literacy gains.
• A National Reading Guarantee would ensure all children have regular access to reading opportunities from birth to age 18.
• The Department for Education should extend library pledges to secondary schools and restore public library funding.
• Automatic library card issuance at birth is recommended to promote early reading habits.

FAQ

The report also urges the government to restore public library funding lost since 2010 and supports calls to automatically issue library cards at birth. These measures aim to make reading accessible to every child, fostering a lifelong love of books.