A survey conducted by The National Literacy Trust has claimed that, worryingly, books come way down the list of things children enjoy reading. The survey conducted amongst 18,000 children aged eight to 17 shows that one in every six read no books whatsoever.

CentreForum, a group of child development experts, have published a report that calls for parents to follow a "five-a-day" approach to parenting that includes spending 15 minutes a day reading to kids.

Researchers at Essex University and University College, London, found the impact of a child's home environment - including whether or not they are read to - does lead to inequalities in how children develop in their pre-school years.

Researchers at Nuffield College, Oxford University, claim the findings from their study prove a clear link between reading for pleasure and getting a good job. The study analysed the responses of 17,200 people born in 1970 who gave details of their extra-curricular activities at age 16 and their jobs at age 33.