§ Sandra GidleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what funding was made available464W to support non-vocational adult learning courses (a) in this financial year and (b) in each of the past four years; and if he will make a statement. [177569]
§ Mr. Ivan LewisI have set out separately in the following tables the figures for expenditure and numbers of learners in (i) adult and community learning and adult education courses run through local education authorities; (ii) learndirect; and (iii) Skills for Life. Together these equate most closely to non-vocational adult learning courses.
In the Skills Strategy White Paper, "21st Century Skills: Realising Our Potential", Government reiterated and strengthened their commitment to adult and community learning We will help adults improve their basic skills in literacy, language and numeracy. We are also committed to safeguarding a varied range of learning opportunities for personal fulfilment, community development and active citizenship.
Adult education classes Financial year Funding (£ million)1 2000–01 145 2001–02 153 2002–03 183 2003–04 206 2004–05 207.4 1 Annual expenditure, by financial year, on adult and community learning run through local education authorities. The figures for 2002–03 and 2003–04 include the budgets for Neighbourhood Learning and family learning, starting from a nil base in 2001–02.
learndirect Academic year Funding (£million) 2000/01 49 2001/02 134 2002/03 171 2003/04 164 2004/05 164
Skills for Life Academic year Funding (£ million)1 2000/01 165 2001/02 306 2002/03 409 2003/04 419 2004/05 430 1 Annual expenditure by academic year, on adult basic skills. The figures for 2003/04 and 2004/05 are estimated figures rolled forward for inflation.