'Poor literacy is a factor behind some of our societal problems'

HILDREN’S enjoyment of reading is at its lowest point in 20 years — with just one in three youngsters choosing to read for pleasure.

- 

This alarming statistic is resulting in a quarter of all primary school leavers failing to reach expected standards of reading.

Child illiteracy leads to problems in adulthood — one in six adults are functionally illiterate and may struggle to read a medicine packet, bus timetables or fill in job applications. Poor literacy is also a factor behind societal problems like homelessness, poor physical and mental health and criminality.

As we start 2026, ministers hope to kick-start a reading revolution by launching the National Year of Reading — to rally parents, schools, libraries, businesses and the wider community to adopt daily reading habits — “reading by example” — to improve literacy outcomes.

And Schoolreaders is pledging to deliver 1.5 million one-to-one reading sessions in schools across England

By helping children develop a love of reading, our charity aims to improve literacy levels and give more children the skills they need for a brighter future, especially in disadvantaged areas.