Source · Select Committees · Education Committee
Recommendation 30
30
Paragraph: 82
The community learning budget has been capped at an arbitrary level for ten years.
Conclusion
The community learning budget has been capped at an arbitrary level for ten years. Community learning funding is overly bureaucratic; an average community learning provider may have to negotiate up to ten different funding streams, all with different rules and outcomes. This places unnecessary strain on providers, and takes up time and resources that should be spent on delivery.
Paragraph Reference:
82
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
78. The principal purpose of the AEB is to engage adults and provide the skills and learning they need to equip them for work, an apprenticeship or further learning. Community Learning plays a considerable role within AEB provision of supporting those furthest from the workplace, and in improving the health and well-being of learners. 79. The purpose of Community Learning is to develop the skills, confidence, motivation and resilience of adults of different ages and backgrounds in order to: progress towards formal learning or employment and/or improve their health and wellbeing, including mental health and/or develop stronger communities. The Community Learning national objectives require providers to prioritise disadvantaged learners. 80. The Department collects data via the Individualised Learning Record (ILR) and annual figures are published via an annual Statistical First Release. Community Learning is delivered in nearly every local authority area across England through adult education services, FE colleges, Institutes of Adult Learning and other training providers and voluntary sector organisations. It tends to be run in accessible informal venues, such as libraries, children’s centres and community centres. 81. We are working closely with the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government, including in the development of the new UKSPF, as outlined in the response to recommendation 23. 82. The Government has maintained funding for Community Learning within the AEB. The Pound Plus approach, introduced in 2013/14, expects providers to add value to Government’s contribution by leveraging additional income (e.g., from fees and sponsorship) and by making cost savings. 83. The government appreciates the importance of adult education to improving people’s life chances. Through our FE reforms, we want to ensure we are supporting as best we can all learners, and that includes those who need the most support to progress to more formal learning or employment. Funding beyond 2021–22 will be considered as part of a wider Spending Review later this year.