- Scottish author Douglas Stuart has expressed concern over declining adult literacy rates, suggesting men have decided fiction "isn't for them".
- Stuart, known for his novels exploring masculinity and class, fears that a prolonged decline in reading will lead to societal issues, including a lack of empathy among those in power.
- Recent studies support these concerns, revealing that half of UK adults no longer read regularly, and 15 per cent have never read for pleasure.
- The issue is attributed to factors such as decreasing attention spans due to social media and individuals having less time for reading in their busy schedules.
- Children's laureate Frank Cottrell-Boyce also highlighted that nearly 50 per cent of children arrive at school without having been read to, potentially starting their education at a disadvantage.
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