The House of Commons Education Committee has concluded its inquiry into reading for pleasure, and this Summer has published its report. The inquiry was launched against a worrying backdrop: only 36% of children say they enjoy reading, while just one in five say they read daily in their free time. MPs have warned that this decline is not simply an education issue, but a wider social concern.
The Committee’s evidence highlights the considerable benefits of reading for pleasure. Regular reading can support educational attainment, wellbeing, empathy and children’s wider understanding of the world. However, MPs argue that current policy places too much emphasis on reading proficiency and not enough on enjoyment. Their central message is that children are much more likely to become lifelong readers if reading is associated with pleasure, choice and shared experiences.
One of the Committee’s biggest recommendations is a National Reading Guarantee, giving every child the opportunity to enjoy books, stories and shared reading from birth through to adulthood. This would bring together early years settings, schools, school libraries and public libraries as part of a comprehensive national strategy.
Libraries are another major focus. The Committee wants every child to be automatically enrolled in a public library from birth and recommends that every secondary school should have a library. It also wants school libraries to be recognised as an essential part of education, backed by a development fund to improve book collections and staff training. Dedicated library time should also be built into the school timetable.
The report places particular emphasis on the early years, arguing that “joy must lead the way”. MPs want the Early Years Foundation Stage profile and inspection framework changed so that enjoyment is given greater prominence. They also suggest that breakfast clubs could incorporate books and reading activities, while parents should receive more practical support to encourage reading at home.
The Committee is also calling for changes to secondary education. It believes the English curriculum can sometimes discourage rather than inspire readers and says GCSE English Literature should make developing a love of literature a core objective. It recommends greater diversity in the texts pupils encounter.
Finally, MPs have welcomed the Government’s National Year of Reading but argue that a single year will not be enough. They propose a National Decade of Reading, making reading for pleasure a sustained national priority.
The report therefore represents a clear shift in emphasis: from simply teaching children how to read towards creating the conditions in which they want to read. The Government is due to respond to the Committee’s recommendations by September 2026, so the next stage will be to see which of these proposals become policy.