The Education Committee has launched a new inquiry to understand the decrease in children reading for pleasure as they age and identify ways to overcome this decline.
The inquiry, which coincides with the National Year of Reading 2026, follows a survey by the National Literacy Trust that found just one in three children (33%) aged eight to 18 read in their spare time – which is a 36% decrease from statistics gathered in 2005.
The cross-party committee will analyse the reasons behind the decline, ways to overcome barriers leading to this decline, and the role played by early years settings, schools and local libraries in children’s reading journey.
MPs involved in the committee will also explore how the government can aid the situation through Best Start Family Support Hubs and upcoming changes to the national curriculum.
As part of the inquiry, the committee is now welcoming written evidence submissions from experts and academics in this field related to a range of questions on the committee’s website until 9 January 2026.
Some of the issues the inquiry will consider include:
- The benefits to babies, children and young people of reading for pleasure
- The factors causing the decline in reading for pleasure among children and how this decline can be reversed
- The role of early years settings in encouraging children to read for pleasure
- How changes to the early years landscape since 2010 have impacted on children reading for pleasure
- How Best Start Family Hubs can have maximum impact in terms of supporting and encouraging children to read for pleasure
Education committee chair Helen Hayes MP said: “Reading for pleasure has long given both stimulation and sanctuary to children and adults across the globe, whilst also teaching wisdom and wit. It has been considered an essential building block of learning and understanding the world around us. But right now, we appear to be witnessing a generational shift.
“The Education Committee wants to understand the forces at play and what the consequences could be for children’s lives. Crucially, we will look across the academic space, and at good practice in schools and communities, for solutions. We will hear from children themselves about how reading for pleasure can be nurtured for the benefit of their education, development, mental health and wellbeing.
“At the end of this inquiry, we will make recommendations to the Government about the role it can play in helping schools, communities, parents and carers, to ensure the joy of reading endures for future generations.”
