The British and Reading: a short history

Britain may not be topping the reading charts, but it does have a long tradition of literacy and enthusiasm for the printed word. Today, national literacy is at 99%. Although that leaves an alarming 670,000 people who cannot read and write - and one in six of those who are literate have only poor literacy skills (figures from the National Literacy TrustUK-based organisation which has campaigned since 1993 to improve literacy standards across all age groups. Excellent research information and details of the many initiatives the charity is currently involved in. www.literacytrust.org.uk. It also has a useful page of news stories on UK literacy, which links to newsletter http://www.readitswapit.co.uk/TheLibrary.aspx) - it is nevertheless the highest overall level of literacy in the country's history. The story of how we got here is fascinating.