Salford’s MP, Rebecca Long-Bailey, has announced that all secondary schools in Salford will be eligible for funding towards books, eBooks, audiobooks and other reading materials.
The MP confirmed the funding on her twitter, saying:
‘Schools will receive between £450 and £1,400 automatically, without having to apply.
‘Reading opens doors, builds confidence and gives young people access to new ideas and opportunities.’
The National Literacy Trust, who has been working in Salford since 2024, has endorsed the move, with Jonathan Douglas CBE, the Chief Executive of the Trust said:
“The National Literacy Trust welcomes the investment in secondary school libraries.
“Alongside the ongoing commitment to fund a library in every primary school – a rollout we’re partnering with the government to deliver – this is a positive step towards ensuring every child has the opportunity to discover a love of reading.”
The investment appears to be needed, as according to the latest survey done by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) put Salford as one of the lowest areas in England
for literacy skills in young children. The results of the 2025 survey can be seen in the graphic.
Douglas CBE also acknowledges a fall in reading across young people and the need for more investment into the next generation.
He said: “Our research shows that reading enjoyment falls drastically as young people start secondary school, highlighting the urgent need for support for teenagers.”
Well-resourced libraries spark curiosity, build confidence, and nurture lifelong reading habits. Investment in school libraries can transform outcomes and boost life chances, particularly in communities facing literacy challenges.”
The Trust has started their work almost exactly two years ago (October 15 2024), when they claimed that over a third of children in Salford started primary school without the literacy skills they needed to thrive, which is over the national average.
The Chief Executive of the Trust ended his statement in a positive light, looking forward to more progress.
“We look forward to continuing to work with schools, local partners and policymakers to build on the legacy of the National Year of Reading and to help this funding have the greatest possible impact.
Together, we can ensure that every child, wherever they live, has the tools they need to thrive and can benefit from the life-changing power of reading.”
The Salford MP has also claimed that extra funds will be going towards schools serving more disadvantaged communities, although she hasn’t specified which schools will receive those extra funds.
