In his recent speech on the Spending Review, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown, announced long-term funding for Bookstart, the national books for babies scheme, coordinated by Booktrust.

"This is wonderful news. It establishes the future of the Bookstart bag - and makes it possible to extend the scheme so that we can foster a lasting love of books in the lives of every new child born in the UK. Research proves that children who were Bookstart babies are more confident readers when they start school" said Chris Meade, Executive Director of Booktrust.

In his speech Gordon Brown said "Because it is our basic belief that every child should have the opportunities today available only to some, we will extend the Bookstart scheme and - at nine months, then at 18 months, then at age two, provide free books universally for every child. For almost two million children a year, their first introduction to learning - an investment not just in every child but an investment in the future of our country."

Bookstart currently provides a bag of baby books to every new baby born in the UK. Now running for 11 years, Bookstart has been proved to be of long-term developmental benefit.

A canvas bag containing two top quality baby books, a booklet explaining how and why to share books with young children, a booklist and an invitation to join the local library, is given to parents by their Health Visitor at the eight month health check.

A Bookstart Plus bag for children at 18 months is currently available, and the new My Bookstart Treasure Box for three year olds, is being piloted with great success in SureStart areas.