Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she is taking steps to help adults with poor literacy skills.

The department recognises the importance of good literacy skills, both in work and everyday life. That is why the department has taken steps to support adults to have the essential skills they need for life, work and further study, including literacy. Through our legal entitlement, the department provides the opportunity of fully funded study for adults who do not have essential literacy skills up to the equivalent of a GCSE grade 4/C or higher. In the 2021/22 academic year, around 239,000 learners participated in an English course funded through the entitlement. Further details can be found online at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/further-education-and-skills-november-2022.

The department also supports all adults for whom English is not their first language to secure the English language skills they need. Adults are fully funded or co-funded to study English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) courses and qualifications up to and including GCSE 4/C equivalent. The number of learners participating in ESOL courses and qualifications continues to grow, with around 123,000 learners in the 2021/22 academic year and the department has already seen around 139,000 learners participate in the first three quarters of this academic year. Further information is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/further-education-and-skills-november-2022.

The department also recognises that community learning within the adult education budget (AEB) can play a valuable role in helping individuals improve their English, particularly for learners where a qualification is not the most appropriate first step.

Currently 60% of the AEB has been devolved to nine Mayoral Combined Authorities and delegated to the Mayor of London (working where appropriate through the Greater London Authority). These authorities are responsible for the provision of adult education and allocation of the AEB in their local areas, including funding of English and maths statutory entitlements. The Education and Skills Funding Agency is responsible for the remaining AEB in non-devolved areas where colleges and other training providers have the freedom and flexibility to determine how they use their AEB to best meet the needs of their communities.