- Nation-wide campaign kicks off aimed at reconnecting people of all ages with a love of reading
- Local MP joins footballer, author and actor ambassadors to promote power of reading
- Builds on Labour government action to boost reading including new reading test, multimillion-pound investment to support the teaching of reading and writing and access to books
Children, families and communities in Portsmouth will benefit from the power of reading as the Labour government and National Literacy Trust kick off the National Year of Reading.
The campaign ‘Go All In’ aims to tackle the worrying decline in reading for pleasure, especially among young people which has dropped to its lowest level since 2005, with just one in three 8-to 18-year-olds saying they enjoy reading in their spare time and teenage boys affected the most – in 2025, just 25% of boys aged 8-18 said they enjoy reading, compared to 39% of girls.
The year aims to address this challenge head on bringing together everyone from families and schools, to libraries, business and ambassadors to connect people of all ages with the joy –and varied benefits – of reading for pleasure.
Stephen Morgan MP is calling on Portsmouth to Go All In and read about the everyday things they love – from playlists and football to films, food and family time – in whatever way that works for them, whether reading a novel, an e-reader, a comic, or an online blog.
Premier League star Leah Williamson, authors Cressida Cowell, George the Poet, Micheal Morpurgo and Julia Donaldson, as well as social media star Jack Edwards alongside Richard Osman and Joe Wicks are just some of the ambassadors who will use their voices and platforms to encourage the nation to get reading.
Labour’s Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, formally launched the campaign at Emirates Stadium, the home of Arsenal Football Club, highlighting how passions such as football can ignite a love of reading and lead to amazing jobs.
Commenting, Stephen Morgan, MP for Portsmouth South, said:
“As screen time climbs and attention spans fall, this Government and the National Literacy Trust have launched a national campaign that will get Portsmouth reading. I know that parents and carers across our city will support this timely opportunity.
“That’s why I am inviting families across Portsmouth to join the national effort to reignite passion for reading within our community. It is right that we commit to putting focus back on the valuable skill that is reading and ensure that every child is able to thrive.”
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said:
“My love of reading was sparked when I was a child, thanks to my grandad and getting lost in stories like The Chronicles of Narnia. I want every child to feel that same joy, whether their passion is football, fantasy, or physics.
“Reading unlocks so much of children’s education, which is why reversing the decline in reading for pleasure must become a national mission.
“Our Plan for Change is making sure every child and young person has access to a wide range of books and supporting families to make space for shared reading to give children the best start in life.
“I’m asking families across the country to read together for just 10 minutes a day. It’s a simple step that can lay the foundations for strong literacy skills, helping kids to be school ready and on track to achieve and thrive.”
Reading is linked to a range of benefits including stronger writing skills, improved wellbeing and confidence, as well as increased creativity and imagination, but there are still too many children being held back from achieving their full potential with over a quarter leaving primary school not reaching the reading age of an 11-year-old.
This grows to 40% and 59% respectively for children from white-working class backgrounds and those with special educational needs.
The campaign builds on the action already underway by government to drive high and rising standards in literacy through its Plan for Change.
This includes a new mandatory reading test for all pupils in year 8 so children who struggle with reading are identified early and get the support they need to catch up, and millions invested to support the teaching of reading and writing and open up access to a wider range of books in schools.
From national moments to local reading activities, the year will offer events and celebrations reaching into every corner of society.
Highlights include national storytelling week, creative writing competitions, parent and baby community sessions, and ‘In conversation’ events with bestselling authors like Celia Rees, with more to be announced throughout the year.
The campaign is spotlighting the vital role volunteers play in supporting literacy projects, by recruiting 100,000 new volunteers to join the national effort and creating more opportunities for people to join in, whether organising a book event in for the local community or helping adults to read for the first time.
Libraries, schools, early years settings, booksellers and the criminal justice sector will receive resources and training, while members of the public can create their own materials to help encourage reading for pleasure and ensure every child is given the best start in life.
