Speeches by Sewards.

“Very good. That is three down; here are the next two questions from me. We are talking about the National Year of Reading as well, which we know aims to address the long-term decline in reading and enjoyment of it, as I am sure you have heard. What is your view of its effectiveness so far and what needs to be done to m…”

“Do you measure them in any way?”

“I have a brief supplementary question for Rebecca. You mentioned BookTok, which is part of TikTok. How confident are you that that is actually inspiring people to read, and people are not just buying books to, say, generate content?”

“I will first ask a general question to all of you: how do libraries work with schools, early years settings and other partners to support reading for pleasure and how could that be improved? My supplementary question is for Isobel, and I will dive straight in with that: research by Libraries Connected has indicated tha…”

“That is helpful; thank you. Any further thoughts on how schools are working with the organisations I listed before?”

“Buying them in bulk from a wholesaler.”

“Very good. That is three down; here are the next two questions from me. We are talking about the National Year of Reading as well, which we know aims to address the long-term decline in reading and enjoyment of it, as I am sure you have heard. What is your view of its effectiveness so far and what needs to be done to m…”

“The Booksellers Association, in its evidence to us, has said that schools should buy books from local bookshops. What is your assessment of the cost of that possibility?”

“The Booksellers Association, in its evidence to us, has said that schools should buy books from local bookshops. What is your assessment of the cost of that possibility?”

“Buying them in bulk from a wholesaler.”

“Understood; thank you. What is the impact of school visits? What can change? What can help?”

“I rise as a former teacher and someone who loves my current job more than that one—although I did love teaching. Does my hon. Friend agree with the Education Committee that FE colleges that are currently not exempt from claiming back VAT are at a disadvantage compared with sixth-form colleges attached to schools that c…”

“Understood. I have only one other question, because you answered my third question beautifully in your first answer. In the previous Budget, the Government said that it was going to commit £5 million to secondary schools in this financial year to purchase reading books. Do you think the pledge should be broader than th…”

“That would be extremely welcome. Before I move on to my next question, does anyone else have any thoughts about those questions?”

“Could you provide evidence after this about the actual figures involved?”

“I also have a question for Victoria, but if anyone else has comments that is fine. The Government have pledged that every primary school will get a library by the end of this Parliament. They also pledged £10 million alongside that. Is that enough money, and what impact will it have on primary schools?”

“I appreciate what you were saying before about there being no statutory requirement for schools to have libraries. Data needs to be collected; that has been recommended. Do you have any figures in mind about what would be required to keep the investment going and keep these libraries open so they can provide the servic…”

“Members of this Committee badger the Chancellor about these topics, and it is always helpful when they are armed with the figures. Are there any final thoughts?”

“Understood. I have only one other question, because you answered my third question beautifully in your first answer. In the previous Budget, the Government said that it was going to commit £5 million to secondary schools in this financial year to purchase reading books. Do you think the pledge should be broader than th…”

“I also have a question for Victoria, but if anyone else has comments that is fine. The Government have pledged that every primary school will get a library by the end of this Parliament. They also pledged £10 million alongside that. Is that enough money, and what impact will it have on primary schools?”