Published on
Updated
Reading 2 mins.
The cost of living crisis is deepening in the UK, forcing many Britons to cut back on shopping to stay financially afloat. Thus, one in five parents buys fewer books for their children, according to a new survey.
According this poll, carried out by the National Literacy Trust association, some 40% of respondents are going through a complicated financial period, at a time when the prices of food and everyday products are increasing drastically. Inflation obliges, they are forced to make savings on certain expenditure items, including that relating toeducation of children.
More than a third of the most vulnerable households (36%) said they will not be able to buy as many books for their children as before, due to soaring prices in the UK. This statistic rises to 20% for all Britons with dependent children.
This phenomenon could have dramatic consequences on children’s learning to read. A previous study by the National Literacy Trust has shown that the love of reading is closely linked to having books of one’s own. However, more than 400,000 British children and adolescents had none at home in 2021. A figure that is likely to increase in the coming months in response to inflation.
The essential role of school libraries
Many parents are concerned about the repercussions that a reduction in spending on books could have on the academic level—already fragile—of toddlers. Indeed, 16% of them say that their children are having more learning difficulties than a year ago. They therefore encourage them to borrow more books from the library or school to fill in their gaps. A laudable intention, but which ignores the fact that British schools are not required by law to have a library on their premises. In fact, 750,000 school children are educated in an establishment where they have no dedicated space to read in peace.
The National Literacy Trust and Chase survey also looks at the reading habits of British families. One in ten parents say they are too anxious about the current situation to read to their children, while 41% say their toddlers do not have a quiet place to read at home.
It is therefore essential that teachers and librarians take over to ensure that children and young people in the UK develop a love of reading, according to Deborah Keay, chief marketing officer at Chase.
“We know that household finances are under pressure and that this has a profound impact on the decisions and trade-offs that parents and people with dependent children must make every day. Today, more than ever, libraries schools play an essential role in giving children access to a wide range of books to help them in their learning”she said in a statement.
In 2021, Chase and the National Literacy Trust launched Chase Rewarding Futures to enable the most disadvantaged UK schoolchildren to enjoy quiet spaces in which to indulge in reading. To date, 62,000 students have benefited from this program.
*Survey carried out by the National Literacy Trust association and the Chase digital bank, in partnership with the YouGov institute, among more than 3,000 Britons with dependent children.