HC Deb 23 November 2000 vol 357 cc298-9W
16. Dr. Desmond Turner

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to reduce the number of adults who lack basic literacy and numeracy skills. [138375]

Mr. Wicks

The Government are committed to tackling poor literacy and numeracy among adults. In September my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced a target to reduce the number of adults with weak literacy and numeracy skills by 750,000 by 2004. He also announced an increase in annual spending on measures to improve literacy and numeracy skills from £241 million this year to £403 million in 2004. A detailed strategy will be issued shortly.