Commenting on the pledge by Rachel Reeves to have a library in every primary school, Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union, said:
"We are pleased to see the Chancellor recognise the importance of school libraries.
"Cutbacks due to a lack of school funding have seen the closure of most primary school libraries. This deprives children of an essential part of their education.
"With 1 in 10 children not having a book at home, school libraries encourage reading for pleasure and research is clear that discovering the pleasure in reading actually transforms life chances, including GCSE success.
"This pledge, while welcome, must be a first step in addressing the chronic funding shortfalls that mean schools lack the resources to provide engaging and successful learning in all subjects. Tackling child poverty must be a priority for this Government because family income level has such a significant impact on access to education and on children’s health and aspirations.
"Education should be a lever by which all children and young people have a chance to succeed. For this to happen Rachel Reeves in her upcoming budget must address the funding shortfall for schools and colleges, as well as ending the two-child benefit cap."