Premier League and literary greats back National Year of Reading
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Nation-wide campaign kicks off aimed at reconnecting
people of all ages with a love of reading
Arsenal's Leah Williamson alongside authors
Frank Cottrell Boyce, Nadia Shireen, Richard Osman and Cressida
Cowell as well as actor Paterson Joseph, named as
Ambassadors Builds on action to boost reading
including new reading test early in secondary...Request free trial
Millions of children, families and communities will benefit from the power of reading as the 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, businesses and ambassadors to connect people of all ages with the joy – and varied benefits – of reading for pleasure. The campaign is calling on everyone to make time 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. Women's Super 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. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson formally launched the campaign today (13 January 2026) 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 in sports punditry or production. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: "Some of my happiest childhood memories are of reading with my grandad, getting lost in The Chronicles of Narnia together. 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. “Through the National Year of Reading and our Plan for Change we are making sure every child and young person has access to a wide range of books, alongside 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.” Jonathan Douglas CBE, Chief Executive of the National Literacy Trust, said: "The National Year of Reading provides us with a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reinvigorate the UK's relationship with reading and change people's life stories. With incredible ambassadors, events and partnerships at the fore, the National Year of Reading aims to inspire every child, young person and adult to go all in on their passions, feed their curiosities and connect with others through reading, throughout 2026 and beyond. Working with communities and cultural partners, libraries, businesses and schools up and down the country there will be hundreds of ways to get involved with the National Year of Reading. "Whether it's a baby experiencing the magic of a picture book for the first time, a family listening to an audiobook on the school run, a teenager immersed in fan fiction or an adult reading the football pages on their commute, reading is for everyone." Clare Sumner, Premier League Chief Policy and Social Impact Officer said: “The Premier League and National Literacy Trust have worked in partnership for nearly 25 years on Premier League Reading Stars, an education initiative that uses children's passion for football to get them reading. “We are pleased to build on that long-term activity by supporting the Department for Education's National Year of Reading, using the reach of the League and our clubs to encourage families to use books as a way to connect, learn and have fun together.” Women's Super League star Leah Williamson said: “The Go All In campaign is a massive moment for literacy in this country. Football is all about moments too. It's all about chances. Waiting for them to arise and taking them when they do. The National Year of Reading 2026 is YOUR chance to really Go All In on your passions by reading into them. So, seize the moment and take that chance. Pick up a book, listen to an audiobook, get stuck into articles on whatever you love. It all counts. “Because if you're into it, read into it.” Children's author Nadia Shireen said: “From reading interviews with my favourite pop stars in magazines, to reciting lyrics on record sleeves, devouring comics and scaring myself silly with ghost stories, reading has been a constant joy in my life. “I'm so excited to be part of the National Year of Reading 2026. It's all about digging into your passions, and gifting time for yourself to read what you love. It's going to be so much fun!” Author, producer and television presenter Richard Osman said: “I am proud to support the National Year of Reading 2026. “New thoughts, new worlds, new friends, peace, imagination, and, above all, joy. These are just some of the gifts that books give us. In an increasingly noisy, complicated world, reading is our quiet superpower.” 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 to support a decade of national renewal. 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. The launch today follows the government confirming plans to develop the first-ever early years screen time guidance to help parents make informed and confident choices about how screens fit into family life, encouraging a healthy balance that leaves space for shared reading and conversation that support children's early development and help to build strong language and literacy skills. 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. Materials and training will be made available to encourage everyone across the nation to ‘Go All In' including booksellers, the criminal justice sector, libraries, schools and early years settings. As part of this, both parents and teachers will be able to access a wealth of resources to help support them in the mission to encourage children to discover the joy of reading for pleasure and ensure that every child is given the best start in life. Notes to Editors:
o Adele Parks o A. F. Steadman o Alexander Armstrong o Andy Day o Angie Thomas o Axel Scheffler o Ben Dean o Billy Monger o Camilla Reid o Chris Riddell o Cressida Cowell o David Larbi o Dermot O'Leary o Frank Cottrell-Boyce o George The Poet o Harry Trevaldwyn o Ian Rankin o Iqbal Hussain o Jeff Kinney o Joe Wicks o Julia Donaldson o Kate Mosse o Katherine Rundell o Katie Kirb o Laura Dockrill o Lauren Child o Leah Williamson o LJ Ross o Lola Jaye o Matt Lucas o Malorie Blackman o MC Grammar o Michael Morpurgo o Ms Apple o Nadia Shireen o Paterson Joseph o Peter James o Ramzee o Richard Osman o Rob Biddulph o Sara Davies o Samantha Shannon o T. J. Power o Val McDermid |