Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Children's Access to Books — [Sir Christopher Chope in the Chair]

06 June 2023 · 9 other contributors · 13,406 words

Opened by Alexander Stafford Con Rother Valley

Responding minister: Nick Gibb

EducationChildren & Families

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Alexander Stafford raised concerns about children's access to books — [sir christopher chope in the chair] in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Alexander Stafford is concerned about the impact of low book ownership on children's literacy rates in Yorkshire and Humber.
  • Stafford cites statistics showing that children with books at home are twice as likely to enjoy reading and six times more likely to read above their age level compared to those without books.
  • The Minister agrees with the importance of reading to children at all ages to instil a love of reading and improve vocabularies.

Key requests to Government

Stafford calls for measures that improve access to books both at home and through libraries. He also emphasizes the importance of embracing technology such as e-books and audiobooks to enhance reading engagement, particularly among disadvantaged children and those with learning difficulties like dyslexia.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Alexander Stafford Con Rother Valley

Alexander Stafford is concerned about the impact of low book ownership on children's literacy rates, particularly in Yorkshire and Humber where nearly 10% of children do not own a single book. He cites statistics showing that children with books at home are twice as likely to enjoy reading and six times more likely to read above their age level compared to those without books. Stafford highlights the stark disparity in life expectancy depending on literacy rates, with low-literacy individuals earning 7% less annually and having up to a 20-year difference in life expectancy compared to higher-literacy peers.

Other contributors (9)
  • Daniel Poulter

    My hon. Friend congratulated Matt Rodda on securing this debate, stressing the importance of phonics and literature in learning. Daniel asked about addressing digital engagement with education when making suggestions to the Minister.

  • Dean Russell Con Watford

    As one of probably the few MPs who has written children's books, Dean congratulated Matt Rodda on securing this debate and emphasised the importance of books for collaborative moments between parents and children. He also highlighted storytelling as a powerful tool. Dean Russell highlights the importance of digital technology in improving access to books. He mentions initiatives involving e-books, audiobooks, and social media platforms such as TikTok which can re-engage teenagers with reading. Thanked Members for mentioning his books and highlighted the importance of comic books, graphic novels, and other forms of literature to encourage reading among children.

  • Gavin Williamson Con Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge

    Emphasised the importance of promoting reading and book availability. Noted that 20% of parents are buying fewer books than before. Highlighted challenges faced by children in poorer homes and praised initiatives like BookTrust's Bookstart scheme. Discussed the role of health visitors in encouraging early literacy among families where parents cannot read. Cited statistics showing the positive impact of libraries on children's literacy scores. Pledged to work towards ensuring every school has a library.

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Jim Shannon highlighted the importance of access to books for children's education and development. He noted that poverty levels in Northern Ireland are among the highest in the UK, leading many families to struggle financially, impacting their ability to buy books. He mentioned a study showing 20% of parents buying fewer books due to financial struggles and 36% encouraging borrowing from schools or libraries. Shannon also raised concerns about the disparity in access for visually impaired children and encouraged the use of Bookshare, an initiative by RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People). Additionally, he praised Dolly Parton's Imagination Library as a successful model for gifting books to young children.

  • Justin Tomlinson Con Swindon South

    He highlighted the importance of literacy in shaping young people's lives, mentioning his involvement with school libraries and local bookshops. He also praised the work of volunteers and community initiatives that support reading among children.

  • Matt Rodda Lab Reading Central

    The hon. Gentleman highlighted the vital importance of literacy and children having books at home, supporting the need for a greater catch-up programme for children in school. Sorry, Sir Christopher—I just wanted to intervene on colleagues, not make a speech. I am grateful to my hon. Friend for making an excellent point about the severe recruitment and retention crisis in schools. A headteacher in my constituency recently told me that there was only one applicant for a job, highlighting the difficulty faced by schools.

  • Patricia Gibson SNP North Ayrshire and Arran

    Patricia intervened to express her experience as an English teacher, stating that children and young people are never too old to love being read to aloud. As a former English teacher, Patricia Gibson highlighted the transformative impact of reading on her life and advocated for universal access to books. She emphasized the importance of early literacy programs like Scotland's Bookbug and 'Read, Write, Count' initiatives which provide free high-quality books to children from birth up to age eight. She also stressed that 19% of five to eight-year-olds in the UK do not own a single book according to the National Literacy Trust. Asked the Minister if they would give way during the debate, but no response from the minister was recorded.

  • Priti Patel Con Witham

    Discussed the importance of literacy and access to books for children's development, highlighting initiatives such as 'Get Witham Reading' which promotes reading activities in schools. Emphasised the role of publishers, authors, and parents in encouraging a love of reading among young people.

  • Stephen Morgan Lab Portsmouth South

    Stephen Morgan highlighted the importance of books in education and literacy, noting that one in four children leave primary school unable to read at their expected level. He pointed out that since 2010, Britain has lost nearly 800 public libraries and many schools lack library resources due to budget cuts, with teachers often using their own money to buy books. Morgan also mentioned a survey indicating that one in three parents are buying fewer books for their children because of financial strain.

Government Response

Nick Gibb

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, and I pay tribute to the hon. Member for Rother Valley (Alexander Stafford) for securing this debate on children's access to books and improving literacy in his constituency. The Minister agrees with hon. Members about the importance of reading to children at all ages to instil love and improve vocabularies. He outlines the Government's commitment to raising reading standards through strengthening the national curriculum, focusing on phonics, and supporting initiatives like World Book Day and the National Literacy Trust. England came fourth in the 2021 progress in international reading literacy study with an average PIRLS score of 558, significantly above the international median of 520 and the European median of 524. The Minister mentions the English Hubs programme supporting over 1,600 schools intensively, including those in Rother Valley supported by Learners First and St Wilfrid's hubs. He also addresses concerns about provision for children with special educational needs and disabilities, stating that guidance on this will be included in the next reading framework. The Minister highlights funding of £184 million for professional development training scholarships to drive up standards in teaching reading. Libraries are recognised as vital for increasing access to books, especially during cost-of-living difficulties, and several schemes like the Reading Agency's summer reading challenge and the National Literacy Trust's primary school library alliance partnership aim to improve reading for pleasure and children's access to books.

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