Andy Burnham's government has confirmed a £15 million plan to help UK children, in a move inspired by the late music legend Dolly Parton. Announced as part of Budget 2026, the new programme will give up to 300,000 children across England greater access to books, helping them in the run-up to starting school regardless of their background or circumstances.
Focusing on pre-school children, the investment aims to help build children's confidence. Parents will also be given some breathing space with costs amid the ongoing cost of living crisis.
Programme details and rollout
The government stated that children having access to books early 'helps build the skills they need to thrive at school'. In 2025, a record 72.3% of children reached a good level of development by the end of Reception.
Around 1,000 Best Start Family Hubs are also being rolled out across the country. The National Literacy Trust and BookTrust are helping with the project to provide support for families and encourage more shared reading at home.
Ministerial and charity support
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: “A good book in your hands can be truly transformative. Children’s books are where curiosity takes root and a lifelong love of reading begins. We believe that every child, regardless of their background or postcode, should have access to the things that bring joy, learning and creativity to their lives, and this programme will help make that a reality.”
Early Education Minister Paul Waugh added: “Sharing a book with a child is about so much more than learning to read. It’s precious time together that can build their imagination, curiosity and excitement about stories. Getting more books into the hands of young children is an important first step, and we want to build on that throughout childhood. Through our curriculum reforms and the National Year of Reading, we’re helping make reading a part of children’s lives from their earliest years right through school. Alongside this, our Best Start Family Hubs are supporting families to foster a love of reading at home and helping ensure children develop the skills and confidence that will benefit them throughout their lives.”
Inspired by Dolly Parton's legacy
The initiative follows the success of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library UK. The programme, established by the singer who died at the age of 80 in August, works with local partners to deliver books to the homes of families monthly, and BookTrust, which provides free books at key points in the early years.
Launched in 2007, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library UK has gifted almost 8 million free, age-appropriate books directly to children under five. Nearly 100,000 children receive a free book every month, helping to boost early literacy, shared family reading and school readiness across the country.
Steve Korris, Executive Director of The Dollywood Foundation UK, home of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, said: “Dolly’s dream was for every child to grow up with books of their own, regardless of their family’s circumstances. We’re delighted that the Government is backing that ambition through this investment in early years book gifting. Through the Imagination Library, we see the excitement a book arriving monthly through the letterbox brings, and how sharing stories helps families build bonds, children develop language and confidence, and a love of reading take root. This funding is a welcome opportunity to bring those benefits to many more children across England, giving them the strongest possible start, well before their first day at school.”
Meanwhile, BookTrust has helped transform the lives of over 1.4 million children annually by providing free books and early years resources, successfully engaging around 93% of newborns and inspiring 84% of low income parents to read more with their families.
Diana Gerald MBE and Annie Crombie, Co-CEOs of BookTrust, said: "Every child deserves the chance to experience the joy of books and reading, whatever their background or postcode. Shared reading is often a child’s first experience of culture, creativity and storytelling, laying the foundations for a lifelong love of books. Through our Bookstart programme and with the work of more than 7,000 partner organisations in villages, towns and communities across the UK, we see every day the difference that access to books and support makes to the 1.1 million children and families we reach. We welcome this investment, which will help more children discover the joy of reading and the opportunities it can create."
