Recommendations & Conclusions
10 items
4
Recommendation
Third report - A plan for an adult skil…
Accepted in Part
The Department must set out an ambitious, long-term strategy for adult skills and lifelong learning. This must be a comprehensive and holistic vision for ASALL in its entirety—piecemeal adjustments and one-off initiatives will not deliver the reform needed. These reforms must be underpinned by a shift to more flexible, modular …
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The Department must set out an ambitious, long-term strategy for adult skills and lifelong learning. This must be a comprehensive and holistic vision for ASALL in its entirety—piecemeal adjustments and one-off initiatives will not deliver the reform needed. These reforms must be underpinned by a shift to more flexible, modular learning so that adults can ‘hop on and hop off’ learning pathways. And we will need much better careers advice to help adults find the best learning opportunities for them. We identify four key pillars to this strategy: i. First, the Department must ensure there is a community learning centre in every town to ensure the first rung of the ladder is there for adults furthest from qualifications and employment. ii. Second, the Department must kickstart participation by introducing Individual Learning Accounts, so that every adult has choice and agency over their learning. iii. Third, the Government must restore part-time higher education by instating fee grants for part-time learners from the most disadvantaged backgrounds who study courses that meet the skills needs of the nation, and extend maintenance support to disadvantaged learners. 48 A plan for an adult skills and lifelong learning revolution iv. Fourth, the Government must tackle the decline in employer-led training through the introduction of a skills tax credit for employers who invest in training for their workforce.
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Government response AI summary
The government accepts the need for an ambitious, long-term strategy, outlining its "Skills for Jobs White Paper" and the Lifelong Loan Entitlement to promote flexible, modular learning. However, it does not specifically commit to the four detailed pillars proposed by the committee.
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Department for Education
8
Recommendation
Third report - A plan for an adult skil…
Accepted in Part
We recommend the Department work with the relevant sector bodies to develop a modular offer for skills qualifications at all levels. This should be linked to those qualifications and courses which meet the skills needs of the nation. The Department must also work with the sector to devise a funding …
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We recommend the Department work with the relevant sector bodies to develop a modular offer for skills qualifications at all levels. This should be linked to those qualifications and courses which meet the skills needs of the nation. The Department must also work with the sector to devise a funding approach that makes it economically viable for colleges and other providers to offer module-based learning. (Paragraph 27) Funding for adult education
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the value of modular learning, highlighting existing flexible provisions and committing to making the Lifelong Loan Entitlement (from 2025) usable for modules at higher technical and degree levels (4-6). It does not explicitly commit to developing modular offers and a funding approach …
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Department for Education
9
Conclusion
Third report - A plan for an adult skil…
Accepted in Part
Adult skills funding has fallen by 45% in real terms between 2009–10 and 2017–18. The consequence of this decline is that the nation’s adult skills and lifelong learning system is in poor shape to tackle the pressing challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, an ageing workforce, skills gaps and the …
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Adult skills funding has fallen by 45% in real terms between 2009–10 and 2017–18. The consequence of this decline is that the nation’s adult skills and lifelong learning system is in poor shape to tackle the pressing challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, an ageing workforce, skills gaps and the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic.
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Government response AI summary
The government states it is continuing to invest in adult education through the AEB and highlights the National Skills Fund and Level 3 Adult Offer as substantial investments. However, funding beyond 2021-22 will be considered as part of a wider Spending Review later in the …
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Department for Education
12
Recommendation
Third report - A plan for an adult skil…
Accepted in Part
We believe that there is a place for a rigorously designed and independently overseen Individual Learning Accounts scheme funded through the new National Skills Fund. This would put purchasing power into the hands of the individual, enabling adults to take control over their learning and skills pathways. The pilot or …
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We believe that there is a place for a rigorously designed and independently overseen Individual Learning Accounts scheme funded through the new National Skills Fund. This would put purchasing power into the hands of the individual, enabling adults to take control over their learning and skills pathways. The pilot or first iteration of the scheme should be targeted at groups who have historically low engagement rates with lifelong learning, such as those on low incomes. Ultimately, however, we would like to see the scheme take on a truly lifelong emphasis, moving beyond a one-off grant, to a system where adults receive 2–3 further top-up investments throughout their working lives to revitalise training and upskilling.
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Government response AI summary
The government plans to introduce a Lifelong Loan Entitlement from 2025, offering a loan equivalent to four years of post-18 education to be used over a lifetime, which aligns with individual control but differs from the recommended grant-funded Individual Learning Accounts scheme; details will be …
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Department for Education
13
Recommendation
Third report - A plan for an adult skil…
Accepted in Part
We recommend that the Government develop Individual Learning Accounts, drawing on the lessons learnt previously. These should be funded through the National Skills Fund, and initially should be aimed at unemployed adults and adults in work earning a low wage.
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We recommend that the Government develop Individual Learning Accounts, drawing on the lessons learnt previously. These should be funded through the National Skills Fund, and initially should be aimed at unemployed adults and adults in work earning a low wage.
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Government response AI summary
The government announced plans to introduce a Lifelong Loan Entitlement from 2025, providing individuals with a loan entitlement equivalent to four years of post-18 education, rather than the recommended Individual Learning Accounts. They will consult on the details of this and the National Skills Fund.
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Department for Education
29
Recommendation
Third report - A plan for an adult skil…
Accepted in Part
The Department must work with the adult education sector to develop a better understanding of what data exists on community learning and where any gaps might be. This should include mapping and regularly publishing data on how many community learning centres exist nationally and where they are located. The Department …
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The Department must work with the adult education sector to develop a better understanding of what data exists on community learning and where any gaps might be. This should include mapping and regularly publishing data on how many community learning centres exist nationally and where they are located. The Department must then set out an ambitious plan for community learning provision in every town, which should seek to make use of existing buildings. The Department should work with the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to align its community learning strategy with MHCLG funding to rejuvenate town centres and high streets.
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Government response AI summary
The government highlights existing data collection for adult learning and its close work with MHCLG, including on the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. However, it does not commit to a new mapping and publication of community learning centres or a specific ambitious plan for provision, deferring …
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Department for Education
37
Recommendation
Third report - A plan for an adult skil…
Accepted in Part
The Department must act to stem the decline in part-time higher education. Promoting access for part-time students from the most disadvantaged backgrounds must be a priority. Means-tested fee grants should be instated for part-time students from the most disadvantaged backgrounds who study courses in priority skill areas. Maintenance support should …
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The Department must act to stem the decline in part-time higher education. Promoting access for part-time students from the most disadvantaged backgrounds must be a priority. Means-tested fee grants should be instated for part-time students from the most disadvantaged backgrounds who study courses in priority skill areas. Maintenance support should be extended to all part-time students whether face-to- face or distance.
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the need for flexible learning and highlights existing support for part-time students. It plans to introduce the Lifelong Loan Entitlement from 2025 to enable more flexible and part-time study, but defers the extension of maintenance loans for distance learners pending a review.
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Department for Education
41
Recommendation
Third report - A plan for an adult skil…
Accepted in Part
We recommend that the Department identify courses at levels 4, 5 and 6 which meet the skills needs of the UK economy. Equivalent or Lower Qualification funding restrictions must then be removed for those courses. (Paragraph 108) Combined and local authorities
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We recommend that the Department identify courses at levels 4, 5 and 6 which meet the skills needs of the UK economy. Equivalent or Lower Qualification funding restrictions must then be removed for those courses. (Paragraph 108) Combined and local authorities
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Government response AI summary
The government has established the Skills and Productivity Board to identify courses meeting UK economy skill needs. Regarding Equivalent or Lower Qualification (ELQ) funding restrictions, it will consult on amending them as part of the Lifelong Loan Entitlement, which is set to be introduced from …
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Department for Education
43
Recommendation
Third report - A plan for an adult skil…
Accepted in Part
Funding for the education and skills and employability strands of the new UK Shared Prosperity Fund must at least match those of their predecessor funds, and no region A plan for an adult skills and lifelong learning revolution 53 should be worse off. Government must involve local and combined authorities …
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Funding for the education and skills and employability strands of the new UK Shared Prosperity Fund must at least match those of their predecessor funds, and no region A plan for an adult skills and lifelong learning revolution 53 should be worse off. Government must involve local and combined authorities on the design of the UKSPF. Funding must be devolved to combined authorities who are best placed to make decisions about how to allocate funding in the most effective way for their communities.
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Government response AI summary
The government commits to matching EU receipts for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, averaging £1.5 billion a year, and involves devolved administrations and local communities in its governance. However, it indicates direct UK Government investment rather than full devolution of funding allocation to combined authorities.
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Department for Education
45
Recommendation
Third report - A plan for an adult skil…
Accepted in Part
We recommend that local authorities are awarded powers and funding to take on an enhanced statutory role for mapping, commissioning and delivering adult skills and lifelong learning. The Department must carry out a comprehensive review of the powers and funding needed for local authorities to take on this role. (Paragraph …
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We recommend that local authorities are awarded powers and funding to take on an enhanced statutory role for mapping, commissioning and delivering adult skills and lifelong learning. The Department must carry out a comprehensive review of the powers and funding needed for local authorities to take on this role. (Paragraph 123) 54 A plan for an adult skills and lifelong learning revolution
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the role of local areas, citing the devolution of AEB to Mayoral Combined Authorities, and plans to pilot Local Skills Improvement Plans involving Chambers of Commerce and set up a new Strategic Development Fund, but does not commit to awarding specific statutory …
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Department for Education