Philip Pullman welcomes free book scheme 'U-turn'
Author Philip Pullman has welcomed news that a charity that gives free books to children will continue to receive funding.
Booktrust had been told it would lose all its £13m government funding for its bookgifting programmes in England, but ministers now say funding will continue.
Labour described the situation as a "fiasco", while some writers were angered by fears that the charity may be unable to continue.
Philip Pullman said the initiative should be "universal" and was an "important national responsibility".
26 Dec 2010