Put down your phones and read a book or magazine, urges Wolverhampton MP
An MP is urging people to put down their tablets and smartphones to spend 10 minutes a day reading.
Warinder Juss, MP for Wolverhampton West, pledged his support for the National Year of Reading, which aims to get tackle a decline in people reading for pleasure.
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Mr Juss joined a number of celebrity backers for the 'Go All In' campaign, a joint effort between the Government and National Literacy Trust, which promotes the joys of reading.
New figures show that just one in three children aged eight- to-18 said they enjoy reading in their spare time, the lowest rate since 2005.
Teenage boys waere affected the most, with just a quarter saying they enjoyed reading last year, compared to 39 per cent of girls.
Mr Juss encouraged his constituents to read about the everyday things they love, from music playlists and football to films, food and family time, in whatever way that worked for them, whether reading a novel, an e-reader, a comic, or even an online blog.
Ambassadors for the campaign involve Women’s Super League footballer Leah Williamson, authors Cressida Cowell, George the Poet, Micheal Morpurgo and Julia Donaldson, as well as social media personality Jack Edwards, television quizmaster Richard Osman and fitness instructor Joe Wicks.
Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson formally launched the campaign at Arsenal FC's Emirates Stadium, highlighting how passions such as football can ignite a love of reading.
She said: "My love of reading was sparked when I was a child, thanks to my grandad and getting lost in stories like The Chronicles of Narnia. I want every child to feel that same joy, whether their passion is football, fantasy, or physics.
"Reading unlocks so much of children's education, which is why reversing the decline in reading for pleasure must become a national mission."
She said the Government was seeking to ensure that every youngster had access to a wide range of books.
"I'm asking families across the country to read together for just 10 minutes a day," said Miss Phillipson.
"It's a simple step that can lay the foundations for strong literacy skills, helping kids to be school ready and on track to achieve and thrive.”
