Hundreds of books have been removed from shelves across the UK in the last year due to censorship attempts. Titles affected include Michelle Obama's 'Becoming', Stephenie Meyer's 'Twilight', and Terry Pratchett's 'Soul Music'.
This week marks Banned Books Week, an event dedicated to celebrating the right to read freely. The re-launch of Banned Books Week in the UK in 2025, led by Index on Censorship, follows growing concerns about book censorship in the country.
An investigation in 2024 found that over half of surveyed school librarians had been asked to remove books from their collections, with 56% having to remove them. A significant number of these targeted books had LGBTQ+ themes. Some librarians also reported self-censoring due to fear of job repercussions.
Earlier in 2026, a school librarian reported 200 books were pulled from her library after a headteacher objected to 'Men Who Hate Women' by Laura Bates. The school leaders initiated an audit, targeting books deemed upsetting, inappropriate, or a safeguarding risk, leading to the removal of titles including a graphic novel of George Orwell’s 'Nineteen-Eighty-Four' and 'Becoming'. The librarian subsequently lost her job and was labelled a safeguarding risk.
Public libraries have also experienced censorship. In spring 2026, Reform-led councils in England instructed staff to pause the promotion of events not specific to library activities, with some leaders stating Pride display materials were "inappropriate." While no books were removed from public libraries during Pride Month, restrictions on displays and promotions were implemented.