Speeches by Brackenridge.

“Finally, Frank, as Children’s Laureate, what have you found on your journey?”

“Sonia, we have heard that the Reading Agency has piloted a cross-authority model to help with some of the wider challenges, such as resources. Are you aware of that and can you share a bit more information about it?”

“Thank you, Rebecca: you have addressed a question that I had for later, which is about some of the hardships faced by authors from diverse backgrounds, and from disadvantaged backgrounds. Joelle, could you share your experience?”

“The Committee has heard evidence of the importance of diversity and representation. What are booksellers and publishers doing to ensure that children have a choice of books? I am going to use the term that Meryl used: books that speak to them. I love that.”

“The Merky Books New Writers’ Prize aims to support young and under-represented writers. What impact has the prize had? Are there are any challenges that they face in that work?”

“Sonia, we have heard that the Reading Agency has piloted a cross-authority model to help with some of the wider challenges, such as resources. Are you aware of that and can you share a bit more information about it?”

“We have heard evidence that austerity led to funding cuts, which led to service reductions. From your experience, what has been the impact, and are there areas of the country and/or particular groups of children that have been impacted more than others? I will start with Sonia.”

“Finally, Frank, as Children’s Laureate, what have you found on your journey?”

“Meryl, I have an additional question for you. We have heard that bookshops tend to highlight the same authors, rather than promoting a range of diverse texts. Do you agree that that is a problem? What can be done to improve things?”

“Isobel, what can you add on cross-authority support? Is that something that you have come across?”

“The Committee has heard evidence of the importance of diversity and representation. What are booksellers and publishers doing to ensure that children have a choice of books? I am going to use the term that Meryl used: books that speak to them. I love that.”

“Thank you, Rebecca: you have addressed a question that I had for later, which is about some of the hardships faced by authors from diverse backgrounds, and from disadvantaged backgrounds. Joelle, could you share your experience?”

“The Merky Books New Writers’ Prize aims to support young and under-represented writers. What impact has the prize had? Are there are any challenges that they face in that work?”

“Libraries like mine in Wolverhampton and Willenhall play a key part in delivering the summer reading challenge. I have seen lots of successes, but there are challenges and difficulties. From your perspectives, what challenges act as a barrier to delivery? Are they related to costs?”

“Isobel, some local authorities, despite the financial constraints, did resist reduction in services. I am sure that must have been very difficult. What lessons can be learned from local authorities that have maintained or increased library provision?”

“I was born and raised in Wednesfield by parents and grandparents who came 10,000 miles from Fiji to make Wolverhampton their home. Today, British Fijians serve in our British armed forces, in the NHS, across public services and business, and, of course, on rugby pitches across the UK. Will the Leader of the House join …”

“Frank, I want to pick up on two points you made previously. First, surveys recognise that parents value reading at home highly, but the reality is that there has been a dramatic decline in shared reading. You also made the point about the unintended consequences of homework and possibly overcrowding home life, so that …”

“This question is to Victoria. How can school libraries be a go-to place for children and teenagers who are reluctant readers, as well as for children who love reading?”

“Frank, I want to pick up on two points you made previously. First, surveys recognise that parents value reading at home highly, but the reality is that there has been a dramatic decline in shared reading. You also made the point about the unintended consequences of homework and possibly overcrowding home life, so that …”

“This question is to Victoria. How can school libraries be a go-to place for children and teenagers who are reluctant readers, as well as for children who love reading?”