NEWS that reading standards in England are the best in a generation has been welcomed by politicians.

North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson described the announcement, made last week by The International Reading Literacy Study, as “really positive” and hoped to “improve literacy standards even further”.

The study is carried out every five years and it monitors the reading ability of nine and 10-year-olds in 50 countries.

Last year the study placed England in joint eighth place, the highest ranking since the test was introduced in 2001.

It follows the release of official statistics which show 12,803 children in North Swindon are now attending schools rated good or outstanding – an increase of 3,474 since 2010.

Justin said: “This is really positive news. Improving literacy is a key priority, which is why I support initiatives such as the Summer Reading Scheme and am a big supporter of our local libraries.

“I was pleased to welcome Schools Minister Nick Gibb to Swindon earlier this year and I am very proud of the government’s forward thinking approach to education, and the success it has achieved so far.

“I’d also like to thank local schools and teachers for being a crucial part in helping to raise standards, and I hope we can build on this.”

According to the Department for Education, 147,000 more six-year-olds became fluent readers in 2016 compared with the same period five years ago.