This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/education/7886765.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Two million fewer adults learning | Two million fewer adults learning |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Fewer adults in England are benefiting from adult education classes, figures obtained by the Conservatives show. | Fewer adults in England are benefiting from adult education classes, figures obtained by the Conservatives show. |
In 2003-04 more than 5.1 million adults were on courses funded by the Learning and Skills Council, but by 2006-07 this had fallen to just over 3.1 million. | In 2003-04 more than 5.1 million adults were on courses funded by the Learning and Skills Council, but by 2006-07 this had fallen to just over 3.1 million. |
The Conservatives said hundreds of thousands were unable to gain skills. | The Conservatives said hundreds of thousands were unable to gain skills. |
But ministers say they are instead aiming resources at improving people's job prospects, rather than funding such things as lessons in holiday Spanish. | But ministers say they are instead aiming resources at improving people's job prospects, rather than funding such things as lessons in holiday Spanish. |
The figures showed a decline in adult classes across all regions of England. | The figures showed a decline in adult classes across all regions of England. |
In the South East, 223,100 fewer course places were taken up in 2006-07 than in 2003-04. | In the South East, 223,100 fewer course places were taken up in 2006-07 than in 2003-04. |
In the North West, there were 207,500 fewer people and in Greater London, there were 121,200 fewer. | In the North West, there were 207,500 fewer people and in Greater London, there were 121,200 fewer. |
'Wider benefits' | 'Wider benefits' |
The shadow skills secretary, David Willetts, said the government had failed to prepare Britain for tough times whilst the economy had been growing. | The shadow skills secretary, David Willetts, said the government had failed to prepare Britain for tough times whilst the economy had been growing. |
David Willetts, MP Shadow Skills Secretary: 'This is a savage reduction' | |
"Ministers' obsession with paper-based qualifications has led to a reduction in the number of adults reskilling and up-skilling, which has contributed to the skills shortage we now face," said Mr Willetts. | "Ministers' obsession with paper-based qualifications has led to a reduction in the number of adults reskilling and up-skilling, which has contributed to the skills shortage we now face," said Mr Willetts. |
"A better-skilled workforce is absolutely fundamental if we are to emerge from the recession in a competitive state. | "A better-skilled workforce is absolutely fundamental if we are to emerge from the recession in a competitive state. |
"Learning also brings health and community benefits that can reduce the pressure on public spending in other areas." | "Learning also brings health and community benefits that can reduce the pressure on public spending in other areas." |
The figures echo those produced in annual surveys by the National Institute of Adult and Continuing Education. | The figures echo those produced in annual surveys by the National Institute of Adult and Continuing Education. |
'Holiday Spanish' | 'Holiday Spanish' |
But the government says it has been refocusing funding away from many short courses onto higher quality ones which improve people's employability, including apprenticeships. | But the government says it has been refocusing funding away from many short courses onto higher quality ones which improve people's employability, including apprenticeships. |
It was also requiring employers to pay for courses which were part of their responsibilities, such as health and safety and food hygiene. | It was also requiring employers to pay for courses which were part of their responsibilities, such as health and safety and food hygiene. |
"It is a decision that is backed by a huge increase in funding for further education - a 53% increase between 1997 and 2008. | "It is a decision that is backed by a huge increase in funding for further education - a 53% increase between 1997 and 2008. |
"It was the right decision to take when it was made in recent years and it is even more important given the current economic climate. | "It was the right decision to take when it was made in recent years and it is even more important given the current economic climate. |
"If David Willetts thinks it is better for funding to be directed to courses such as holiday Spanish rather than giving people real help to people now to get a job then he should say so. | "If David Willetts thinks it is better for funding to be directed to courses such as holiday Spanish rather than giving people real help to people now to get a job then he should say so. |
"We make no apology for focusing government spending on real help for people who need it." | "We make no apology for focusing government spending on real help for people who need it." |