by Hollie Nielsen, AWC Central Scotland
Today a reader, tomorrow a leader.
—Margaret Fuller
While the United Kingdom has little history of banning books, book banning is now on the increase.
Unlike in the United States, the United Kingdom has no official list of state-banned books or specific federal censorship laws. Famous historical obscenity bans, such as on D.H. Lawrence’s Lady Chatterley’s Lover, which was lifted in 1960, and state-secret bans, such as Peter Wright’s Spycatcher, which was lifted in 1987, are a thing of the past.
Unfortunately, recent reports from organizations, such as the Index on Censorship, show an increase in requests to remove books from UK school libraries.1 The University College London last year found that “book-banning and censorship attempts are becoming increasingly prominent within UK school libraries.”2 The School Library Association said this year has seen an “increase in member queries about censorship.”3 A 2024 Index on Censorship investigation reported that over half of the UK school librarians surveyed had been asked to remove books, with LGBTQ+ titles commonly targeted.4 In addition, public libraries are also facing requests to remove books.5
How does book banning often start in the UK? “In the early-stage, censorship may not be overt; it tends to be informal and interpersonal. Someone raises a concern and asks for a fast decision: Should we still stock this?; Isn’t it safer to remove it?; Do we want the hassle? The request might come from a parent, a staff member, a governor, or a senior leader trying to protect the school from complaints.
Those moves matter because they change the question. Instead of "Is this book right for these pupils, in this context, with professional support?”, the question becomes “How do we avoid conflict?” That is how libraries shrink without a single formal ban being announced.”6 Requests for bans “can be a quiet conversation that ends with a book moved off display, boxed away, or simply never ordered again.”7
One UK example of book banning was in Greater Manchester, where a secondary school censored scores of books and the school librarian faced disciplinary action based on the books she was stocking.8
Attempts were also made to ban books in Dorset.9
The use of AI can make the matter even worse. In April 2026, senior staff at a school in Salford used AI to judge 200 books, which they then decided were inappropriate for school children.
“This use of AI represents its non-human, unambiguous perspective on literature, and shows how it is often difficult to decide whether an age group ‘should’ be able to read a certain book or read about a specific topic. Ultimately, that decision should not be made by an AI model, but instead by teachers, students’ parents, and the students themselves. AI has no place in book banning–nor does anyone else.”10
The majority of localized removal requests or restrictions concern books about LGBTQ+ identities, race, feminism and sexual references.11 For example, Warwickshire County Reform member Finch opposed local libraries’ display of LGBTQ+ materials and Black History Month.12
Unfortunately, US-style pressure group influence on book bans seems to be crossing the Atlantic. Although "the situation here is nowhere [near] as bad, censorship does happen and there are some deeply worrying examples of library professionals losing their jobs and being trolled online for standing up for intellectual freedom on behalf of their users," said Louis Coiffait-Gunn, CEO of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (Cilip).”13
“Library leaders in the UK are paying close attention to what’s happening in the US and there’s definitely a strong feeling of solidarity with American librarians,” said Ed Jewell, president of Libraries Connected. Coiffait-Gunn of Cilip added that the profession “looks on with deep concern at the increasingly polarised and political debate” in the US about “what people, especially children, are allowed to read.” Most UK libraries follow the Cilip ethical framework, which states that published materials should not be restricted on any grounds but the law, said Jewell. "That gives them the confidence and assurance to reject demands for censorship."
Jewell said: “What we must guard against is a climate where libraries avoid stocking certain books—or holding talks or activities for fear of negative publicity, threats or intimidation. It’s vital that libraries feel able to provide access to a wide range of perspectives if they are to facilitate the free exchange of ideas.”14
Responses from professional library groups and teachers’ unions have been heartening and strong. The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals recommends that public libraries do not ban or exclude books on moral, political, religious, or racial grounds alone unless the content has been ruled unlawful by courts.15 The National Education Union (NEU) said that teachers will continue to “fight censorship” to ensure “intellectual freedom and children’s rights.”16 The NEU also maintained that they were not prepared to follow the same path taken in the United States, where book banning is both common and regular; teachers say they will "fight censorship" of books in school libraries in order to promote "intellectual freedom and children's rights."17
Actions
Here’s some advice on what each of us can do to support our libraries, school libraries and Banned Books Week. The following actions come from The School Reading List.18
US educator guidance is clear on what works best in the moment: don’t improvise, don’t debate purely on social media terms, and don’t make a lone librarian or class teacher carry the decision. The National Coalition Against Censorship’s handbook for educators sets out practical steps for handling challenges, including documenting complaints, using established selection criteria, and involving leadership.
Schools do not need to become courts. They do need fair process.
The strongest defence against book bans is boring, written, and repeatable.
- Write a challenge procedure and stick to it. Use clear steps: who receives a complaint, how it is recorded, who reviews it, what criteria are applied, and how the decision is communicated. NCAC’s educator handbook is a practical model, even though it is US-based.
- Build a review panel before you need one. Include the librarian where you have one, a senior leader, a governor, and staff with SEND and safeguarding expertise. The point is not to politicize the issue. It is to stop lone staff members being cornered into rushed decisions.
- Keep the argument anchored in the text. Ask challengers to cite specific passages and specific harms, not general reputational claims. Where appropriate, consider age-banding, contextual teaching, or pairing texts, rather than removal.
- Plan your communications. Parents often want reassurance that schools take concerns seriously. You can give that without conceding to censorship. Explain your process, your criteria, and your commitment to pupils’ wellbeing and reading development.
- Protect staff from online pile-ons. Make it explicit that staff will not be expected to fight these battles in Facebook comments or WhatsApp groups. Decisions should be documented, school-owned, and professionally framed.
- Use a published policy as a starting point. School Reading List has published an “Author and Illustrator Allegations Policy” designed to keep responses evidence-led and consistent, covering roles beyond the author and setting out a process for handling allegations.
One last word on free speech from the School Reading List:
In practice, the free speech question in schools is rarely “can someone speak?” It is “who gets to decide what everyone else can read?” In a plural society, one family’s objection cannot become another child’s restriction by default. The job of a school library is not to mirror one worldview. It is to offer a safe, age-appropriate, professionally curated range of books that helps pupils learn about themselves and other people. Before any of us likes, shares, or piles onto a call to remove a book, it is worth pausing on three checks: What is the evidence? What is the process? Who is being silenced? That is not American politics. That is not a UK culture war. That is basic professional practice, and it fits the values schools are already expected to teach.
Banned Books Week
The UK has a Banned Books Week, similar to the one in the United States. Banned Books Week was started in America in 1982 as a movement to celebrate the right to read and resist censorship. Sparked by a surge in complaints to schools about their reading lists, and challenges to libraries by politicians, parent bodies and churches, the last week of September each year is a time to remember that people should have a right to express ideas and opinions even if they are not mainstream or held by the majority.19
Banned Books Week UK (October 4–10) is led by Index on Censorship as a parallel campaign to Banned Books Week in the USA. After taking a hiatus, Banned Books Week UK relaunched in 2025, following increasing reports of book censorship in the country. It’s an annual celebration of the right to read freely in the UK and beyond. At a time where books are being increasingly challenged, taken off shelves or targeted due to the ideas they hold, Banned Books Week UK brings literature lovers together to celebrate the freedom to read. The annual event encourages everyone to take part—from readers and writers to libraries, schools and bookshops.
The School Reading List has a list of banned books reading suggestions.20 In addition, on October 7, the Index on Censorship is planning a one-day relay for libraries across the UK to come together to celebrate the freedom to read. They are inviting libraries across the UK to take part in a relay shining a light on the books that have been banned, challenged or removed from shelves around the world.21
Further reading and resources have been suggested by the School Reading List.22
FAWCO Education Team Connection
On September 6, the Education Team held a FAWCO-wide book discussion with Amanda Jones, author of That Librarian. Amanda discussed her experience of standing up for her public library and being assaulted with hate. Her talk was inspirational to us in FAWCO. Amanda was also a speaker at Libraries Connected Annual Seminar on June 9–10 in Kenilworth, Warwickshire, where she spoke about Censorship and the Role of Librarians in the Fight for Democracy.23 It’s depressing that the UK needs to draw upon Amanda’s expertise in fighting book banning, but it’s best to be prepared.
Note from the Author: I did an unscientific survey of my friends and family in the UK. Not one of them, including the ones involved in education, had any personal experience with book banning. This is heartening, but we have to be prepared for the storm of book banning attempts in our future.
Photo courtesy of canva.com
References:
1. Teachers vow to 'fight censorship' after school book row | BBC News;
School Reading List Recommended reading books for primary and secondary aged children in the UK;
Protecting minors? Book bans are on their way to Britain | David Buckingham;
UK book banning on the rise | The Boar
2. Victoria Dilly, CEO of the School Library Association, said there had been a “small increase” in enquiries from members “about issues of censorship, particularly relating to age-appropriateness and collection management.” Teachers vow to 'fight censorship' after school book row | BBC News
4. How Book Censorship Creeps into UK Schools and How to Respond | Series 1, Episode 38
5. Ed Jewell, president of Libraries Connected, an independent charity that represents public libraries, said: “Anecdotal evidence from our members suggests that requests to remove books are increasing.”
Librarians in UK increasingly asked to remove books, as influence of US pressure groups spreads | The Guardian
6. How Book Censorship Creeps into UK Schools and How to Respond | Series 1, Episode 38
7. Ibid.
9. Protecting minors? Book bans are on their way to Britain | David Buckingham
10. UK book banning on the rise | The Boar
11. Ibid.
The Books banned from libraries after one complaint | Free Speech Union
Protecting minors? Book bans are on their way to Britain | David Buckingham
12. Code of Conduct complaint for Reform UK council leader | BBC News
14. Ibid.
15. The Books banned from libraries after one complaint | Free Speech Union
16. UK book banning on the rise | The Boar
17. Teachers vow to 'fight censorship' after school book row | BBC News
18. How Book Censorship Creeps into UK Schools and How to Respond | Series 1, Episode 38
19. Ibid.
20. Banned Books Week – our reading suggestions | School Reading List
21. Banned Books Week UK - Library relay campaign | Index on Censorship
22. Further reading and resources suggested by the School Reading List:
- Joint guidance from CILIP, the School Library Association and CILIP’s School Libraries Group on intellectual freedom and handling censorship issues in school libraries.
- CILIP news release responding to censorship pressures in school libraries and reiterating the sector’s position (Sept 2024).
- Index on Censorship investigation reporting a UK survey of school librarians, including removal requests and which topics are commonly targeted (Aug 2024).
- Guardian report summarising the Index on Censorship survey findings on UK school librarians being asked to remove LGBTQ+ books.
- PEN America’s 2024–2025 Index of School Book Bans, including counts of ban instances and where they occurred.
- PEN America’s 2023–2024 Index of School Book Bans, providing a comparable year’s dataset and totals.
- NCAC handbook for educators on how to manage book challenges using written policy, due process and documented review steps.
- American Library Association page summarising 2024 censorship initiators, showing the share linked to pressure groups and decision-makers (not just parents).
- ALA page on the “Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2024”, including summary statistics about where challenges originate.
- UK government SMSC guidance document defining fundamental British values and how schools are expected to promote them.
- UK government announcement page that sets out the same British values framing in accessible form (Nov 2014).
- Ofsted Education Inspection Framework (for use from November 2025), outlining how inspection evaluates key areas including culture, behaviour and personal development.
- OECD summary noting that PISA 2018 found reading for enjoyment is positively associated with reading performance across participating countries.
- UK government-archived evidence review on reading for pleasure, summarising research links between enjoyment, frequency and attainment.
- School Reading List’s “Author and Illustrator Allegations Policy”, setting out a structured, evidence-led approach to concerns about book contributors.
- Guardian report on the Kate Clanchy controversy and the reissue of Some Kids I Taught and What They Taught Me after the original publisher parted company (Feb 2022).
- Guardian report on Kate Clanchy’s stated plans to rewrite the memoir following criticism of racial and ableist tropes (Aug 2021).
23. Libraries Connected Annual Seminar 2026
