š° Adult Literacy News Summary
Charities support BBC campaign to improve literacy
03-Mar-2026 - UK
Charities have welcomed the launch of a BBC campaign to champion groups and organisations that support child and adult literacy. One in four children in England do not meet the expected standard in reading by the time they leave primary school, according to figures from the Department for Education, external. School Readers, external, which provides free one-to-one reading support for children in primary schools across the UK, has backed Page Turners, launched by BBC Three Counties Radio.
Read moreESOL cuts are ābizarreā, says skills minister
02-Mar-2026 - UK
Cutting funding to English language lessons aimed at migrants is a ābizarreā decision that undermines ambitions to build cohesive communities, the skills minister has said. Jacqui Smith told FE Weekās Apprenticeship and Training Conference that she was āconcernedā by this development in Greater Lincolnshire, led by Reform UK mayor Dame Andrea Jenkyns. She said the government wants to look āmore broadlyā at English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) provision and how officials can āensure it is available everywhereā. But she highlighted the āchallengeā of adult skills funding, including ESOL, being devolved and controlled by local mayors.
Read moreOliver James, 34, is learning to read and posting about it on TikTok
28-Feb-2026 - USA
"Whatās up! I canāt read," Oliver James said in his first-ever TikTok. Since then, he's garnered thousands of followers as he works through illiteracy. James is one of over 8 million Americans who are functionally illiterate. As a child, he struggled with learning disabilities and was placed in special education. He says he suffered from abuse within the school system, and found it hard to focus on school, let alone reading.
Read moreSurrey prepares for devolution of adult education functions
27-Feb-2026 - UK
Skills and training opportunities for adults across Surrey are set to have greater local oversight and control as part of wider efforts to grow the regional economy. Surrey County Councilās Cabinet this week reviewed progress towards the devolution of adult education functions and related funding from central government. Commitment to transfer these functions was secured as part of the county deal agreed in 2024 and forms part of the governmentās wider devolution agenda.
Read moreLondon Luton Airport CEO joins Business for Literacy Council
27-Feb-2026 - UK
Alberto Martin, Chief Executive of London Luton Airport (LLA), has joined the National Literacy Trustās Business for Literacy Council, reinforcing the airportās commitment to supporting the development of literacy skills for young people. Established in 2023, the National Literacy Trustās Business for Literacy Council brings together senior business leaders who are personally, and through their organisations, committed to making an impact on literacy.
Read moreLearning bus to tour and teach English and maths
27-Feb-2026 - UK
A bus with a fitted classroom will be touring towns in East Yorkshire to deliver preparatory maths and English courses. The mobile learning centre, which has been set up by East Riding of Yorkshire Council (ERYC), has been designed to help prepare people who are seeking qualifications up to the equivalent of a GCSE. The UK Shared Prosperity Fund has funded the project with a Ā£170,000 investment.
Read moreAdult education is also about strengthening our democracy
26-Feb-2026 - UK
Adult education is at a crossroads. For decades, it has been framed almost exclusively through a labour-market lens: a means to improve employability, boost productivity and fill skills gaps. While this focus is understandable, it is also incomplete. Adult learning has always played a much broader role in society ā one that is increasingly vital as we face deepening social polarisation and democratic disengagement.
Read moreChildren invited to step into a library this World Book Day
26-Feb-2026 - UK
Wakefield Council is encouraging children to step into a library this World Book Day (March 5) as part of the National Year of Reading 2026. This year schools and libraries will be distributing Ā£1 World Book Day book tokens that can be exchanged at a bookshop or participating retailer. Story time sessions for under-fives and their grown-ups take place throughout the week at Wakefield Council libraries and each child who attends will receive a Ā£1 book token.
Read moreHartlepool businesswoman Lyndsay Hogg's 'little library' idea to be rolled out across town by Hartlepool Borough Council
23-Feb-2026 - UK
"Little librariesā are to be opened in each council ward across Hartlepool following the success of a businesswomanās initiative. A motion to the latest full meeting of Hartlepool Borough Council highlighted how āliteracy is a right, not a privilegeā and that every resident āshould have the opportunity to gain this critical skillā. Put forward by Labour councillors after the Government designated 2026 as the National Year of Reading, it will see the local authority take steps to increase āreading for pleasureā in the town.
Read moreChildren's books appeal launched with six collection points around Northumberland
23-Feb-2026 - UK
A Morpeth education centre has launched a community-wide appeal to collect hundreds of childrenās books to help introduce youngsters from disadvantaged backgrounds to the joy of reading. Maximize Education is calling on residents, schools and local organisations to donate new or excellent-condition childrenās books as part of its commitment to improving literacy and educational outcomes across Northumberland.
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