What is driving the reading for pleasure crisis? MPs ask leading charities
On Tuesday, MPs on the Education Committee will hear evidence on the crisis in reading for pleasure among children and young people, hearing evidence from civil society organisations, teachers, and a children’s author and illustrator.
Meeting details
In 2025, the National Literacy Trust found that the number of young people who enjoyed reading was at its lowest for 20 years. Evidence to the Committee has highlighted a number of possible causes, including: increasing screen use; overcrowded curricula in schools; a lack of quiet reading environments; cuts to library services; and fewer adults sharing reading with children.
In Tuesday’s session, MPs will ask witnesses what is driving the severe fall in children and young people reading for pleasure, and which interventions to improve reading rates might be most helpful.
They are likely to explore the challenges around reading for specific groups such as boys, who are less likely to read for pleasure than girls, children with dyslexia and other forms of SEND, and disadvantaged children. They may also explore issues around ethnic diversity and representation in children’s books.
Ahead of World Book Day on Thursday 5 March, MPs are also likely to ask about the success of this initiative in promoting reading, as well as others such as the Summer Reading Challenge, the Children’s Laureate role and the Department for Education’s National Year of Reading for 2026.