A third of children ‘don’t own a book’

Almost four million UK children do not own a book, research suggests today.

It raises concerns that the numbers of children without books is rising.

The latest report by the National Literacy Trust, based on a survey of 18,000 youngsters, reveals that a third (33.2 per cent) do not have books of their own.

It means 3.8 million UK children do not own a book, the trust claimed.

And the number has increased from seven years ago, the last time the poll was conducted, when it stood at one in ten youngsters.

This survey was based on a smaller number of children, around 8,000 in total.

Today’s report also reveals that boys are more likely to be without books than girls.