National Year of Reading 2026 Announced to Boost Literacy and Distribute Free Books
The National Year of Reading 2026 has been announced with the goal of boosting reading levels among children and addressing a significant decline in reading for pleasure across the UK.
As part of the initiative, 72,000 free books will be distributed to children most in need. The year will also see the launch of the first Children’s Booker Prize, planned for 2026 and to be awarded annually from 2027. This new prize, chaired by Frank Cottrell-Boyce and judged by young people, will have its shortlisted and winning titles given to thousands of children.
The Cultural Policy Unit has called for automatic library cards for all newborns to encourage early reading habits.
UK data reveal reading for pleasure among 8- to 18-year-olds is at its lowest level in 20 years, with only about one in three children enjoying reading. Over the past two decades, this represents a 36% decline, with the steepest drops among teenage boys and children from the poorest backgrounds.
Additionally, one quarter of English primary pupils finished this year without adequate reading skills, and half of UK adults do not read regularly. Many parents also do not enjoy reading to their children.
Barriers contributing to this decline include smartphone use among young children, high child poverty rates, library closures due to austerity measures, long working hours, solo parenting, health issues, and the high cost of books.
Government commitments cited include Rachel Reeves’ pledge that every primary school will have a library staffed with trained librarians, with adequate provision for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), along with support for new parents and babies.
The editorial frames reading as a valuable generational gift and urges individuals to make a personal commitment to read more—to themselves, a friend, or a child—encouraging reading as a lifelong healthy habit.
