đ° Adult Literacy News Summary
Read Easy Milton Keynes celebrates 10 Years of transforming lives through literacy
20-May-2026 - UK
Read Easy MK is celebrating its 10th anniversary during National Volunteering Week, marking a decade of life-changing support for adults across the city who want to learn to read or improve their reading skills. Since its launch in 2016, the volunteer-led organisation has helped hundreds of adults build confidence, gain independence and open new opportunities through free, confidential, one-to-one reading coaching. Powered entirely by trained local volunteers, the group has become a vital part of the Milton Keynes community, quietly transforming lives one reader at a time.
Read moreExperts set out how to tackle the UK's literacy crisis
19-May-2026 - UK
As part of its Reading for Pleasure inquiry, MPs heard evidence from charity chiefs, academics and school leaders on the factors affecting children's literacy levels and what action policymakers can take to reverse declining standards. Latest research suggests the UK is facing a literacy crisis. A recent report by The National Literacy Trust found that almost a third of five-year-olds start school without the language skills they need, the lowest level recorded since 2005. This rises to almost half of children in disadvantaged communities. Poor literacy skills affect children's development and attainment. For example, government research has shown that pupils with weak reading skills in Key Stage 1 are much less likely to achieve 5 GCSE results, or to pass English and Maths. This disproportionately affects children from disadvantaged backgrounds and can limit their access to higher education and future employment opportunities.
Read moreChildrenâs reading should prioritise pleasure over learning, says laureate
19-May-2026 - UK
The childrenâs laureate, Frank Cottrell-Boyce, has urged the government to prioritise pleasure over learning in childrenâs reading. Giving evidence to MPs on the education committee, which is investigating the decline in reading for pleasure among children, the screenwriter and novelist said conversations about childrenâs reading too often revert to attainment in school. He said that the âbusiness of learning to readâ can put children off the pleasure of reading. âWe can teach them all the steps,â he told MPs, âbut the important thing is that they dance.â The number of children reading for pleasure in the UK has declined sharply in recent years. According to the National Literacy Trustâs annual survey, just one in three aged eight to 18 enjoy reading in their spare time â a 36% decrease since 2005.
Read moreEssex County Council leader vows to end âtax on readingâ at more than 50 libraries
18-May-2026 - UK
A Reform-led council is to abandon a ÂŁ1.15 reservation fee for local libraries as one of its very first actions. The decision to end the charge, which applied only to adults looking to bag books within Essex County Councilâs 74-strong portfolio of libraries, will be voted on at the end of this month. But incoming council leader and head of Essex County Councilâs Reform UK Group Peter Harris said he wanted a service accessible to all, and pointed to the National Literacy Trust and Department for Educationâs National Year of Reading campaign.
Read moreGovernment launches radio station for adult literacy and skill
17-May-2026 - Nigeria
The Nigerian government will unveil a radio station dedicated entirely to adult education, broadcasting literacy and vocational training to remote communities across Nigeria. The station represents a push to reach learners in areas where access to formal education remains limited. Officials say the broadcasts will cover basic literacy skills, numeracy, and practical vocational training suited to rural livelihoods. Remote areas have long struggled with adult education provision. Conventional classrooms require infrastructure and teacher deployment that many communities cannot sustain. Radio, however, reaches listeners in their homes and farms without needing electricity or internet.
Read moreTottenham childrenâs author donating book proceeds to literacy charity
15-May-2026 - UK
A Tottenham-based teacher is donating proceeds from her new childrenâs book to the National Literacy Trust. Ellie Rusu published her first childrenâs book, Amayaâs Race to Victory in December last year. The story follows a young girl and her supportive cat, Zac, as they try to raise enough money to build a library for her school. Money raised from the book will go to the National Literacy Trust, an independent charity which works with schools and communities to improve literacy skills and encourage reading among children and young people.
Read moreThe Best Text-to-Speech Apps and Tools for 2026
15-May-2026 - UK
Some people struggle with or are physically unable to read text on a screen. Others might want their computer to read something to them aloud while they do something else. There are numerous reasons to use a text-to-speech tool, also known as a screen reader. If you want your computer or phone to read to you, we've collected the best tools for the job below.
Read moreChildrenâs laureate calls for action to tackle âreading crisisâ
15-May-2026 - UK
Childrenâs laureate Frank Cottrell-Boyce has called for national action to tackle the childrenâs "reading crisis", as new research suggests families are increasingly struggling to make reading part of daily life. Speaking at Londonâs Royal Institution, at an event hosted by childrenâs reading charity BookTrust, he argued that evidence shows there is an appetite to read among children, but families need more support. He claimed the UK is facing a serious crisis in childrenâs development, connecting this to wider pressures including poverty, housing insecurity, isolation and the erosion of local services such as libraries and youth provision. Part of this challenge is that too many children are starting school without consistently experiencing the warmth of shared stories and books, he said.
Read moreCharity walk from Newcastle to North Shields raises awareness of adult illiteracy
15-May-2026 - UK
A group of volunteers and supporters of Read Easy walked a ten mile route from Newcastle to North Shields to raise awareness of adult illiteracy. The route saw the group begin in Newcastle on Saturday and end on the coast, with some short breaks in Newcastle City Library, East End Library, Walker Library and Wallsend Library. The walk, completed by volunteers and supporters of the group, saw them raise awareness of adult illiteracy within the local communities they passed through - with the local community giving back by offering refreshments to the group, namely at Retro Bay Cafe in Whitley Bay and Barryâs Fruit and Veg in North Shields as the walk entered its final stages.
Read moreHow reading shapes your brain
14-May-2026 - UK
Do you remember what it was like before you learnt to read? It's hard to think back that far! Scientific research has shown that learning to read changes the way our brains work. Not only that, but depending on the language you are reading, your brain changes in different ways. In this podcast, Becca and Georgie discuss this and teach you some new vocabulary.
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