Children who read well by the end of primary school go on to earn, on average, £65,000 more over their lifetime.
It’s a striking figure – but perhaps more striking is what’s behind it: reading builds not just knowledge, but confidence, empathy, imagination, and resilience. It shapes how young people see the world, and their place in it.
Yet right now, over a quarter of children in England are leaving primary school without meeting expected reading standards. For white working-class pupils, that rises to 40%. For children with special educational needs, it’s 59%. And just one in three children aged 8–18 say they enjoy reading in their free time.
In a world dominated by screens, where children spend an average of six hours a day on devices, the quiet magic of books is being drowned out by the constant buzz of notifications, short-form videos and gaming loops.
That’s where the National Year of Reading 2026 comes in. Launched by the Department for Education and the National Literacy Trust, this campaign aims to kickstart a reading revolution. The goal? To rebuild a culture of reading for pleasure – at home, at school, and in communities – and to make stories part of everyday life again.
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It’s not just about literacy; it’s about life
Studies have shown that reading regularly supports brain development, emotional regulation, imagination, better sleep, and even stronger relationships. It helps children name their feelings, expand their worldviews, and navigate complexity. It sparks creativity and provides comfort, especially in uncertain times.
As Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson put it: “Reading holds the keys to so much of children’s education, so the decline in reading for pleasure among young people should sound alarm bells loud and clear.”
How the campaign will work
The 2026 campaign will bring together schools, libraries, businesses, and families in a joined-up national effort. Over 72,000 books will be distributed this summer to children in high-poverty areas to help foster home reading habits, and a £27.7 million fund is already being channelled into improving how reading and writing are taught in schools.
What’s especially exciting is the involvement of unexpected partners – including the Premier League, which is backing the campaign through its Premier League Reading Stars programme. By using the appeal of football and well-known players, the programme helps reluctant readers in Key Stage 2 find motivation and connection through storytelling, challenges, and sports-themed literacy activities.
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Tackling screen time with balance, not blame
Screens are a big part of childhood today which raises important questions about balance and impact. Tech can open doors to learning, creativity, and connection. But there’s growing concern that excessive passive screen time is crowding out deeper forms of focus and reflection. According to Ofcom, children aged 3–17 now spend over four hours a day online on average – with many clocking up far more.
Research from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the UK’s Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health suggests that excessive screen use can disrupt sleep, reduce physical activity, and affect emotional development, especially in younger children.
The campaign isn’t about banning tech, but about creating space for stories again. Whether through audiobooks, graphic novels, digital platforms, or shared reading moments, it’s about helping children reconnect with the power of narrative.
A national mission (for everyone)
The campaign’s success won’t come from government action alone. It depends on parents reading with their kids, workplaces getting involved in literacy projects, and schools being empowered to go beyond the curriculum to nurture genuine reading cultures.
As Jonathan Douglas, CEO of the National Literacy Trust, put it: “Reading is the foundation of a successful life – the key to unlocking potential, strengthening social cohesion, enhancing wellbeing and boosting skills.”
If we want to raise a generation that can thrive – emotionally, socially, and intellectually – then now is the time to put books back into children’s hands. Not as a chore, but as a joy. Not to prepare them for tests, but to prepare them for life.
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