§ John MannTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the literacy levels are of longterm unemployed people in(a) coalfield areas and (b) England. [41821]
§ Mr. Nicholas BrownStatistics relating to the literacy levels of the long-term unemployed in England are not available. However, we estimate that around one third of unemployed people have literacy and/or numeracy skills below Level 1 (the level expected of an 11-year-old) in England)1.
No separate information is available for literacy levels among long-term unemployed people in coalfield areas, although we do have information on overall literacy levels in these areas.
We are committed to improving the literacy and numeracy of unemployed people so they have the skills they need to find and stay in work. In September 2001 we began piloting alternative ways of encouraging people claiming jobseeker's allowance to take up offers of help with their literacy and numeracy skills. One of these pilots is in my hon. Friend's constituency.
1Source—"Skills for Life: the National Strategy for Improving Adult Literacy and Numeracy Skills" (March 2000).