Ed Balls joined the Prime Minister, children, writers, and reading champions at 10 Downing Street today to launch the National Year of Reading. He called for every employer, school, library, college and local authority to get involved and sign up to the National Year of Reading by logging on to the National Year of Reading website at http://www.yearofreading.org.uk

It is hoped that the 2008 National Year of Reading will help to build a greater national passion for reading – for children, families and adult learners alike. The Year will encourage people to read in businesses, homes, and communities around the country, providing new opportunities to read and helping people to access help and support through schools and libraries.

There will be campaigns and activities throughout the year to inspire everyone to read more, with a focus on reluctant readers, those with low confidence, and boys and dads. 146 local reading coordinators in local authorities across England will work with local education, community, library and leisure services, businesses and the media to deliver National Year of Reading campaigns and activity for their local communities.

Ed Balls said:

“I want every school, college, library and employer to pledge to join in with the Year of Reading by signing up online. If local communities, authors, broadcasters, celebrities and employers come on board we can really bring about a long-term change in the nation’s attitudes to reading.

“Books are at the heart of the Year’s activities but all reading ‘counts’. Newspapers, magazines, poetry, song lyrics, screenplays and blogs will all feature as part of the Year’s activities.

“There has been a huge amount of attention recently on reading at school, and rightly so. Every child must be able to read and write confidently; that is one of the highest priorities of this government. We are investing in high-quality phonics materials, free books for babies and children, catch-up support and small group tuition to help everybody achieve that goal.

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