United call to defend future of adult learning, writes ROSAMOND HUTT

More than 30 charities and educational organisations have united to warn the Government it will face serious economic and social consequences if it fails to support mature learners.

The coalition is concerned that cuts to adult education will harm opportunities for people to gain new skills and qualifications.

Those hardest hit will be vulnerable and disadvantaged groups such as the homeless, pensioners and people with mental health issues, it claims.

The Government said it was not cutting overall funding to further education, but was making learning to gain skills for the workplace a priority and was asking people to pay more towards courses taken for leisure.

But the coalition, which includes the charities Mind, Crisis and Age Concern, argues adults, in particular elderly people, ethnic minorities, the homeless, ex-offenders and people with disabilities, learn best in voluntary or community settings, attending short and informal courses on a wide range of subjects.

The coalition fears Government plans to increase the numbers of adult learners with vocational qualifications equivalent to five GCSEs will result in funding for these courses being cut.

The number of learners aged over 19 has dropped by 14 per cent in two years, with participation by those older than 60 falling by almost a quarter, it said.

Leslie Morphy, chief executive of homelessness charity Crisis, said: "The Government says it wants to help more people to learn. But the reality is very different. Courses are closing, teachers are being made redundant and the focus on adults achieving vocational qualifications is ignoring what can be achieved through wider learning.

"Every day we see how giving people the opportunity to learn, try a new activity or develop a skill in the right setting can change their lives. We could do so much more, but the opportunities to do so are being cut back."

Alan Tuckett, director of the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE), added: "Adult learning makes a difference - to the economy of course, to health, well-being, confidence and to our ability to help our children. We cut opportunities at our peril.

"There is a distinct risk, through the narrowing of priorities, of limiting access to the wider range of opportunities to those with the deepest pockets."

Ahead of the publication this week of the Treasury-commissioned report by Lord Leitch on improving the UK's skills base, the coalition has warned Chancellor Gordon Brown that failure to fund adult learning for all will have "serious social and economic consequences".

The coalition is urging the Chancellor in responding to Lord Leitch's review to set targets to increase participation in learning, particularly among disadvantaged adults and to make a dedicated adult learning budget available to colleges and other organisations with an educational role.

Higher Education Minister Bill Rammell said: "This Government is passionate about the role of further education in tackling our skills challenges and has matched that passion with record levels of investment and a 48 per cent increase since 1997. This increase is continuing this year.

"We are determined to improve the quality and status of the vocational and work-based learning, equally important as a way into rewarding careers as more academic routes.

"Strong funding means the sector can respond confidently against a background of stability and rising learner numbers. It is absolutely right that more money goes towards the priority groups who need skills for good careers."