National Year of Reading
Inspired by and in celebration of the National Year of Reading 2026, Her Majesty The Queen is giving every child in year 6 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, every child in P6 in Scotland and every home-educated child of the equivalent age across the UK the gift of a book to help inspire a love of reading. The chosen book is a specially produced edition of Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell.
The copies of Impossible Creatures are currently being distributed to public libraries across the UK and will be available for families of eligible home-educated children to collect from a library in their local area during the period 5 to 20 December. Families are advised to check with staff members at their local library, of which a list can be found here for more information. We advise families to speak to their local library for more information about collection.
The book is also being made available in accessible digital and braille formats, provided by the RNIB, as well as an audio version.
In support of this initiative, the National Literacy Trust is creating special resources for families of children aged 5 to 11 to help spark conversations and excitement around reading. These resources will include a special online event, which families can access and that will feature a number of inspiring authors, illustrators and storytellers, including Katherine Rundell. More information about these resources and how to access them will be available in mid-November.
More information about The Queen’s Christmas Present initiative
UK Parliament Week
Dear parents and carers,
This year, UK Parliament Week will take place from the 23 to 29 November 2026.
UK Parliament Week is a nationwide programme that millions of people take part in every year. It helps young people understand what the UK Parliament is, what it does, and how they can get involved in democracy. While Blackpool can feel a long way from Westminster, it is important that children and young people understand that their voices matter and that decisions made in Parliament can have a real impact on their lives.
When you register, UK Parliament Week will send you a free activity pack containing a range of resources to help you plan activities throughout the week. Materials are available for all age groups, allowing you to choose resources that are most appropriate for your child's learning.
UK Parliament Week provides a valuable opportunity for children and young people to learn about how decisions are made, discuss issues that matter to them, and develop their understanding of democracy.
As the Member of Parliament for Blackpool South, I am keen to ensure that children and young people who are educated at home have the same opportunities to learn about democracy, engage with politics, and have their voices heard as their peers in school. To support this, I will be sending a signed letter to every home-educated young person who registers to take part in UK Parliament Week.
Further information, including registration details, can be found on the UK Parliament Week website
Once you have signed up, UK Parliament Week will let my office know.
I look forward to seeing young people from across Blackpool get involved.
Yours sincerely,
Chris Webb MP