HC Deb 10 January 2002 vol 377 c953W
24. Dr. Cable

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what strategy her Government have to increase participation in adult learning. [23858]

Margaret Hodge

The Government's strategy is to ensure that learning is available in a form and at a time and place that best suits the needs of adult learners; to provide targeted financial support to adult learners; and to extend the information, advice and guidance available on learning. The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) has a statutory duty to encourage adults to learn. It will publish its strategy for workforce development by the end of March 2002. The National Target for Participation in Learning has been achieved one year early, with 500,000 additional learners since 1997.