Reading for pleasure

Early day motion 208, tabled 24 February 2020 by Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 15 members.

That this House recognises the significant impact of reading for pleasure in improving a child’s educational attainment and life chances; notes that children who read for pleasure daily or nearly every day are a year ahead in reading performance compared those who never do; further notes with concern that child literacy rates are falling year on year; believes an improvement in literacy rates will help close the attainment gap; further notes that not all schools have libraries; recognises that 10 to 16 year olds make four time as much progress in vocabulary, maths and spelling if they read for pleasure than if their parents have a degree; further recognises that the UK has one of the lowest rankings for teenage literacy in OECD countries; highlights that reading to children, with no formal teaching agenda, is the most effective way to encourage them to read for pleasure independently; and calls on the Government to support teachers to include opportunities for non-tested story time as an intrinsic part of every school day

Signatures by party: Scottish National Party 6, Liberal Democrat 5, DUP 2, Conservative 1, Labour 1.