Happy World Book Day!

Books open up new worlds, spark imagination, and help us see life from different perspectives. This World Book Day, I was delighted to attend a special drop-in event at Parliament to celebrate the joy of reading and highlight the importance of making books accessible to all children.

It was a pleasure to pick up some wonderful books for my grandchildren and show my support for an initiative that encourages children to develop a love for reading. Sadly, far too many young people in the UK miss out on the benefits that books bring. Shockingly, 1 in 12 children don’t own a book of their own, and that number rises to 1 in 8 among children receiving free school meals. With the number of children reading for pleasure at its lowest since records began, we must do more to ensure that every child has the opportunity to experience the joy of books.

Reading is one of the most powerful tools we can give children. It helps to develop their creativity, boost their confidence, and improve their future prospects. Studies show that reading for pleasure is the single biggest indicator of a child’s future success—even more than their family circumstances or their parents’ education.

That’s why initiatives like World Book Day are so important. By providing every child with the chance to access books, we can help instil a lifelong love of reading. I encourage everyone to take a moment today to share a book with a child, support their local library, or donate to organisations that help get books into the hands of those who need them most.

A huge thank you to everyone involved in making this day such a success. Let’s keep championing the power of books for every child!