đ° Adult Literacy News Summary
Itâs madness to cut jail education as signs of improvement emerge
04-Feb-2026 - UK
An HM Inspectorate of Prisons report on the teaching of reading in jails has highlighted emerging examples of excellent practice, with prisons putting literacy at the heart of their regimes. But progress is now at risk due to national funding decisions. Many people in prison struggle to read â almost two-thirds are at or below entry level 3 for literacy, compared to just 15 per cent of the general population. A fifth, nearly 10,000 people last year, are at entry level 1, the lowest level.
Read moreCamilla opens primary school library in project to boost reading among children
04-Feb-2026 - UK
The Queen marked a milestone moment in an ambitious project to open a library in every primary school by launching the latest in an inner-city institution. The Libraries for Primaries campaign was co-founded by the National Literacy Trust, which the Queen supports as patron, and Penguin Books. The new library is a mid-way point in the campaign.
Read moreStormzy backs bid to get adults into books: 'Reading really is a superpower'
03-Feb-2026 - UK
British music icon Stormzy is urging adults to get into reading after giving his backing to Quick Reads. The Reading Agencyâs UK wide-initiative aims to boost literacy through short, accessible books designed for non-readers, lapsed readers, neurodivergent readers or people with short attention spans. Almost half of the UK adults The Reading Agency polled said they didnât read and the Westminster government has designated 2026 as the National Year of Reading to reignite a love of books.
Read moreLargest-Ever Shared Book Reading Study Shows Dolly Parton's Imagination Library Dramatically Strengthens Early Literacy in the UK
03-Feb-2026 - UK
New groundbreaking research1 released at the start of the National Year of Reading, drawing on the largest dataset ever conducted on shared book reading, reaffirms that Dolly Parton's Imagination Library significantly strengthens early literacy skills for children and families across the UK and the four other countries where the programme operates. The findings reinforce the power of shared reading in the earliest years of life
Read morePakistan ranks lowest in South Asia on literacy despite slow gains, FAFEN says
02-Feb-2026 - Pakistan
Pakistan remains the lowest-ranked country in South Asia for literacy, with 63% of people aged 10 and above able to read and write, according to a new review by the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN). It shows literacy has risen from 60% in 2018-2019 to 63% in 2024-2025, an increase of three percentage points in around six years. Analysts described the pace of improvement as âalarmingly slowâ for a country of more than 240 million people.
Read moreReading coaching charity expands to Rugby
01-Feb-2026 - UK
A unique charity which provides free, confidential, one-to-one reading coaching for adults has expanded into Rugby. Since it was founded in 2023, Read Easy Mid Warwickshire has helped dozens of adults in Leamington, Warwick and Kenilworth with their reading â transforming their lives in the process. Vicky Fletcher, Team Leader of Read Easy Mid Warwickshire, said: âIâm thrilled that we can now offer our service to adults in Rugby and I would like to encourage anyone who needs help to come forward.
Read moreBorn & Read in Suffolk celebrates the joy of reading
30-Jan-2026 - UK
Reading is a superpower. Children who read for pleasure develop stronger literacy skills, greater empathy, improved wellbeing, higher confidence and a deeper aptitude for learning, according to research from the National Literacy Trust. Reading is also the single strongest factor in shaping a childâs future life chances â more influential even than socioeconomic background or parentsâ levels of education. And itâs not just children who benefit.
Read moreSurrey Libraries go all in for the National Year of Reading 2026
29-Jan-2026 - UK
Throughout 2026, Surrey Libraries will host a vibrant calendar of events and activities to celebrate reading in all its forms. Each month, one of our main libraries will take the lead on a key theme linked to the campaign and all 52 libraries in Surrey will join in with a host of themed activities and events, workshops, and family-friendly sessions to engage and inspire readers of all ages. February will see Redhill library host a âLove Your Libraryâ family fun day on Saturday 14 February.
Read moreRead Easy group calling for volunteers and funding support
29-Jan-2026 - UK
A group is calling for more volunteers and funding to help improve adult literacy across East Devon. Read Easy North, East and West Devon, a volunteer-led organisation supporting adults in Devon to learn to read, is currently assisting around 50 adults through its free one-to-one coaching scheme. Joanna Clarke, fundraiser at Read Easy, said: "We support people of all ages and backgrounds.
Read moreCutting town's library hours would be 'massive blow'
29-Jan-2026 - UK
Campaigners are objecting to proposals to cut library opening times in part of Devon from 21 hours a week to six. The county council wants to reduce Northam Library's hours to two mornings a week. Torridge district councillor Peter Hames said it could mean a year of "reduced reading" rather than the 2026 National Year of Reading, a UK-wide initiative.
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