Source · Select Committees · Education Committee
Third report - A plan for an adult skills and lifelong learning revolution
Education Committee
HC 278
Published 19 December 2020
Government response
Third Special Report - A plan for an adult skills and lifelong learning revolution: Government Response to the Committee’s Third Report · published 12 Mar 2021
Recommendations & Conclusions
1
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 9
The benefits of adult skills and lifelong learning are well-evidenced and include benefits for productivity...
Conclusion
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, …
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Government Response Summary
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
The Department must review funding for adult skills and lifelong learning to see how the...
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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
Para 65
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) provision can be transformational for adults.
Conclusion
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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
Para 66
The Department’s lifelong learning strategy must include an ESOL element.
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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
Para 68
More needs to be done to support adult learners with special educational needs and disabilities...
Conclusion
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.
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Government Response Summary
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
Para 72
Childcare poses a barrier for parents and carers aspiring to upskill and retrain.
Conclusion
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 Summary
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
Para 80
Community learning appears to have been largely overlooked by the Department.
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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
Para 104
Degree apprenticeships are crucial to boosting the productivity of this country, providing an important route...
Conclusion
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 Summary
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
Para 105
All higher education institutions should offer degree apprenticeships.
Recommendation
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.
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Government Response Summary
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
Para 122
Devolution of the Adult Education Budget has enabled Mayoral Combined Authorities to develop locally responsive...
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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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