Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of recent trends in (a) library provision and (b) the number of qualified librarians in state-funded schools and colleges in England; and if she will make a statement

School libraries play an important role in providing children with more opportunities to read widely for pleasure, which is a fundamental part of children’s education that helps them to fulfil their potential. We have made no specific assessment on school library provision or the number of qualified librarians in state-funded schools, as it is for schools to decide whether and, how to provide library services. We know that many headteachers recognise the role school libraries can play in improving pupils’ literacy. Many headteachers, especially those in secondary schools, also choose to employ a qualified librarian, although this is not a statutory requirement.