§ Mr. WebbTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Green Paper, "New Ambitions for Our Country: A New Contract for Welfare", Cm. 3805, page 83, what is the proportion of the adult population with educational qualifications at present; and what it was in April 1997 and March 1998. [54603]
§ Ms HewittThe information requested falls within the responsibility of the Director of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to reply.
Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Steven Webb, dated 31 July 1998:
As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your parliamentary question about the percentage of adults with qualifications.Estimates from the quarterly Labour Force Survey (LFS) are shown in the table below. Figures have been given both for all those of working age (16-state retirement age) and also those aged 18 to state retirement age (ie adults of working age). The LFS does not ask respondents above working age about their qualifications unless they are in employment.The LFS is a household survey and therefore the institutional population is largely excluded apart from students in halls of residence who are sampled via their parental home and staff in NHS accommodation who are sampled separately.
Percentage of people with educational qualifications (United Kingdom, not seasonally adjusted) Percentage All working age1 At least 18 and working age1 Spring 1997 81.3 82.0 Spring 1997 81.9 82.6 1 Working age is 16–64 for men and 16–59 for women Source:
ONS, UK Labour Force Survey