HC Deb 08 June 2000 vol 351 cc343-4W
27. Mr. Watts

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on his plans to improve levels of adult literacy and numeracy. [123361]

Mr. Wicks

The Government are committed to tackling poor literacy and numeracy among adults. Last year we announced an additional £17 million to support the first phase of our campaign, and many of the new measures announced at the time are now in place or are well on the way. On 22 May my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment dedicated a further £20.25 million this year to improving adult and family literacy and numeracy skills. He will announce a full national strategy later this year and is putting in place a new Adult Basic Skills Strategy Unit within this Department to drive forward its implementation.