LIFELONG LEARNING

That this House welcomes the Leader of the Opposition's commitment to mature workers and learners; recognises the role of adult learning in enabling older people to re-enter the workforce; further recognises the vital need to re-skill and up-skill those currently in work to ensure the UK's economic competitiveness; notes with concern that, according to the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education, one in three adult learning places may be lost in the next three years, including many targeted at disabled people and other vulnerable groups; urges the Government to recognise the importance of mature and returning learners and workers in its education strategy and to review the way adult education is funded, mindful that many learners would be prepared to co-fund courses and to refocus on an ambitious skills strategy that emphasises lifelong learning as a vehicle for democratic citizenship, economic performance and social well-being.