Rachel Reeves pledges a library in every primary school in England

"Rachel Reeves will deliver a library in every primary school in England as part of Labour's plans to give all children the best start in life regardless of their background. The scheme, which will create libraries in the 1,700 primaries currently without them, will be funded from 132.5m of dormant assets that will be unlocked to give young people access to cultural opportunities. Thousands of children will get access to literacy during their early years as a result."

"One in seven primary schools in the UK do not have a library, according to the National Literacy Trust, rising to one in four for disadvantaged areas. Children's authors including Cressida Cowell and the Gruffalo illustrator, Axel Scheffler, welcomed the scheme. A school library is more than just a room full of books, Scheffler said. It's a place where imaginations grow, confidence builds, and a lifelong love of reading takes root."

"Young people on universal credit who have been out of work or education for 18 months will be guaranteed an offer of paid work. I can commit this government to nothing less than the abolition of long-term youth unemployment, she will say. Claimants will face sanctions such as losing their benefits, however, if they refuse to take up jobs under the scheme without a reasonable excuse."

Rachel Reeves will deliver a library in every primary school in England, creating 1,700 new primary libraries. The scheme will be funded from 132.5m of dormant assets unlocked to give young people cultural opportunities. Thousands of children will gain access to literacy. One in seven primary schools in the UK lack a library, rising to one in four in disadvantaged areas. Children's authors including Cressida Cowell and Axel Scheffler welcomed the plan; Scheffler said libraries nurture imagination, confidence and a lifelong love of reading. The plan also guarantees paid-work offers to universal credit claimants out of work or education for 18 months, with sanctions for refusal without reasonable excuse.

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