Adult skills and lifelong learning

Education Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 26 Mar 2020 Closed: 22 Jun 2021 Parliament page
The Education Committee is relaunching their inquiry into adult skills and lifelong learning (ASALL). The Committee's inquiry will examine the state of adult skills and lifelong learning (ASALL) provision. The inquiry will explore key themes such as participation in ASALL, the balance and range of different forms of provision, and … Read more
33 Recommendations
12 Conclusions
1 Report
2 Oral sessions
1 Letter
2 Events
Activity timeline 5 events
12 Mar
2021
Report published
19 Dec
2020
Report published
3 Nov
2020
Correspondence
29 Sep
2020
Oral evidence
22 Sep
2020
Oral evidence
Oral evidence sessions 2 sessions
29 Sep 2020
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Adult Skills and Lifelong Learning
Gillian Keegan · Department for Education
22 Sep 2020
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Adult Skills and Lifelong Learning
Dr Sue Pember · HOLEX Ian Murray · Trade Union Congress Joe Fizsimons · Institute of Directors Matthew Percival · Confederation of British Industry Professor Josie Fraser · The Open University Simon Parkinson · Workers’ Education Association
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Third report - A plan for an adult skills and lifelong learning … HC 278 19 Dec 2020 45 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
10 results
Clear
1 Conclusion Acknowledged
Third report - A plan for an adult…
The benefits of adult skills and lifelong learning are well-evidenced and include benefits for productivity...
The benefits of adult skills and lifelong learning are well-evidenced and include benefits for productivity and the economy, for health and wellbeing, and for social justice and communities. To respond to the significant challenges posed by the Fourth Industrial Revolution, … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the economic, social, and wellbeing benefits of lifelong learning and references the existing Lifetime Skills Guarantee initiative to help adults develop new skills throughout their lives.
Department for Education
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11 Recommendation Acknowledged
Third report - A plan for an adult…
The Department must review funding for adult skills and lifelong learning to see how the...
The Department must review funding for adult skills and lifelong learning to see how the various funding streams can be consolidated and made more streamlined and less bureaucratic for providers. (Paragraph 34) A plan for an adult skills and lifelong … Read more
Government Response
The government outlines its ambition for a simplified and better targeted funding system as part of the Skills for Jobs White Paper and states that a forthcoming consultation will explore how funding can be allocated in a simpler way.
Department for Education
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22 Conclusion Acknowledged
Third report - A plan for an adult…
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) provision can be transformational for adults.
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) provision can be transformational for adults. Unfortunately, we heard evidence of long waiting lists and demand outstripping supply. And despite the critical importance of ESOL, Adult Education Budget funding for ESOL fell by … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the importance of English language teaching and its manifesto commitment to boost it, stating that substantial funding is already available through various provisions.
Department for Education
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23 Recommendation Acknowledged
Third report - A plan for an adult…
The Department’s lifelong learning strategy must include an ESOL element.
The Department’s lifelong learning strategy must include an ESOL element. The Department should take a lead role for adult ESOL strategy to ensure a more joined up approach to cross-Department ESOL funding and objectives. The Department must undertake analysis to … Read more
Government Response
The government affirms its commitment to boosting English language teaching and highlights substantial existing funding and provision for ESOL. However, it does not commit to taking a lead role for a cross-departmental ESOL strategy, undertaking new demand analysis, or allocating additional targeted funding, stating an update will be provided in due course.
Department for Education
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24 Conclusion Acknowledged
Third report - A plan for an adult…
More needs to be done to support adult learners with special educational needs and disabilities...
More needs to be done to support adult learners with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). There are opportunities including supported internships and apprenticeships, and community learning provision. But these opportunities are limited, and support funding is insufficient. Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the need to support adult learners with SEND, highlights existing provisions and general aims from the Skills for Jobs White Paper, and defers specific action to the ongoing cross-government SEND review and a call for evidence.
Department for Education
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26 Conclusion Acknowledged
Third report - A plan for an adult…
Childcare poses a barrier for parents and carers aspiring to upskill and retrain.
Childcare poses a barrier for parents and carers aspiring to upskill and retrain. More needs to be done to support parents and carers to participate in adult education.
Government Response
The government acknowledges childcare as a barrier and explains its current policy of providing childcare support for full-time students, but not part-time ones due to their study flexibility. It also outlines existing universal childcare offers and support via Universal Credit and Tax-Free Childcare.
Department for Education
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28 Recommendation Acknowledged
Third report - A plan for an adult…
Community learning appears to have been largely overlooked by the Department.
Community learning appears to have been largely overlooked by the Department. The Department does not have sufficient oversight of what data is available on A plan for an adult skills and lifelong learning revolution 51 community learning. Nor are we … Read more
Government Response
The government describes the purpose and existing structure of community learning, the data collected, and ongoing work with MHCLG, stating that funding beyond 2021-22 will be considered in a future Spending Review. However, it does not commit to developing the recommended ambitious, long-term strategy for community learning or directly address the concerns about oversight.
Department for Education
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38 Conclusion Acknowledged
Third report - A plan for an adult…
Degree apprenticeships are crucial to boosting the productivity of this country, providing an important route...
Degree apprenticeships are crucial to boosting the productivity of this country, providing an important route to higher education qualifications and bringing more students from disadvantaged backgrounds into higher education.
Government Response
The government acknowledges the importance of degree apprenticeships for productivity and social mobility, highlights existing provisions and their employer-driven nature, and encourages universities to offer more apprenticeships where there is demand.
Department for Education
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39 Recommendation Acknowledged
Third report - A plan for an adult…
All higher education institutions should offer degree apprenticeships.
All higher education institutions should offer degree apprenticeships. The Department and the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education should set out a plan for speeding up the expansion of degree apprenticeship provision in priority skill sectors. Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the importance of degree apprenticeships and notes existing provision. It encourages universities to offer them based on employer demand but does not commit to a plan for speeding up expansion or mandating all institutions to offer them.
Department for Education
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44 Recommendation Acknowledged
Third report - A plan for an adult…
Devolution of the Adult Education Budget has enabled Mayoral Combined Authorities to develop locally responsive...
Devolution of the Adult Education Budget has enabled Mayoral Combined Authorities to develop locally responsive adult skills strategies. We heard that devolution should go further. The benefits of skills devolution should not be confined purely to those areas that happen … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the role of local areas in adult skills and lifelong learning, highlighting existing devolution and committing to piloting Local Skills Improvement Plans in early 2021 and establishing a new Strategic Development Fund.
Department for Education
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Government Response AI assessment · 45 of 33 classified
Accepted 7
Accepted in Part 10
Acknowledged 10
Deferred 6
Not Addressed 7
Rejected 5
Total 33 recs + 12 conclusions
Correspondence 1 letter
3 Nov 2020 To committee Letter from the Under Secretary of State for Apprenticeships and Skills, following her appearance before the Committee on 29 September 2020, dated 16 October 2020
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