Oral evidenceSelect & Joint CommitteesTuesday, 19 May 202609:30

Education Committee: Reading for Pleasure

Committee hears from witnesses

The Education Committee will take oral evidence on reading for pleasure—the practice of voluntary, recreational reading among young people. The inquiry examines what drives children to read for enjoyment, what barriers prevent them from doing so, and what role schools, libraries, and policy can play in encouraging a reading culture. This follows concerns about declining literacy levels and reduced leisure reading among pupils post-pandemic.

Reading for pleasure is linked to improved literacy, vocabulary, mental health, and long-term educational attainment. The inquiry will inform policy on how schools and public services can reverse declining engagement with books among children and teenagers, potentially affecting curriculum design, library funding, and teaching priorities across England.

Education Culture & Community

Committee mentioned:Education Committee