Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the effect of audiobooks on (a) access to literature and (b) literacy rates; and if he will make a statement.

The Department wants children to develop the habit of reading widely and often, for both pleasure and information, whatever the format. Research suggests that reading for pleasure is more important for children’s educational development than their parents’ level of education. We have not undertaken research on the specific effect of e-reading, but the Department is committed to continuing to raise literacy standards – ensuring all children can read fluently and with understanding.

In 2018, we launched the £26.3 million English Hubs programme. We have appointed 34 primary schools across England as English Hubs. The English Hubs programme is supporting nearly 3,000 schools across England to improve their teaching of reading through systematic synthetic phonics, early language development, and reading for pleasure. The English Hubs are focused on improving educational outcomes for the most disadvantaged pupils in Reception and year 1.