Public libraries

That this House congratulates the regional winners of Library of the Year at the British Book Awards 2025, including Braunton Library in North Devon, winner of South West England's Library of the Year; recognises the important contribution libraries make to advancing reading and literacy skills among both children and adults, as well as the wider community functions libraries serve in hosting a vast range of community events, support groups, employment workshops, live music, arts and crafts activities, flexible working spaces, access to the internet and public records, among many others; notes that at least 190 libraries across the UK have closed in the past five years; and calls on the Government to support local councils in maintaining publicly-accessible spaces for community use.