Mentions:
1: Ewing, Annabelle (SNP - Cowdenbeath) The next item of business is a statement by Jenny Gilruth on literacy and numeracy. - Speech Link
2: Gilruth, Jenny (SNP - Mid Fife and Glenrothes) It is the most comprehensive national data set on attainment in literacy and numeracy, and it is predicated - Speech Link
Written Evidence Jan. 30 2024
Inquiry: Financial EducationFound: FE0075 - Financial Education National Literacy Trust Written Evidence
Jan. 15 2024
Source Page: money spent on (POLAAR) literacy assessment: FOI releaseFound: money spent on (POLAAR) literacy assessment: FOI release
Nov. 28 2023
Source Page: Scottish Government's Literacy Action Plan: FOI releaseFound: Scottish Government's Literacy Action Plan: FOI release
Nov. 28 2023
Source Page: Scottish Government's Literacy Action Plan: FOI releaseFound: Scottish Government's Literacy Action Plan: FOI release
Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what data her Department holds on levels of adult literacy in the UK; and what steps she is taking to increase adult literacy levels.
Answered by Robert Halfon
The department recognises the importance of good literacy skills, both in work and everyday life. Securing good levels of literacy has a positive impact on participation in society, improves earnings and employment opportunities and opens doors to further learning.
The department participates in the OECD’s International Survey of Adult Skills, which was last conducted in England and 24 other countries in 2011-12. The results show that 16% of 16-65-year-olds have the literacy skills of an 11 year old, or lower. The next survey is due to report in late 2024. A link to view the OECD adult skills surveys can be found here: https://www.oecd.org/skills/piaac/.
The government has also conducted the Skills for Life survey in 2011 which provided a national profile of adult literacy, numeracy, and ICTskills, and assessed the impact that different levels of skills had on people’s lives. The survey findings were published in 2012 and reported that, in England, 15% of the working age population have the literacy skills of an 11 year old, or lower (an estimated 5 million people).
The department also gathers data annually from providers delivering government funded adult further education (FE) and skills provision in England. The latest statistics can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/further-education-and-skills-march-2024.
To improve essential literacy and numeracy skills, a legal entitlement was introduced through the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 (Sections 87-89).This legal entitlement can be viewed here: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2009/22/part/4/chapter/1/crossheading/education-and-training-for-persons-aged-19-or-over-etc.
Through its legal entitlement, the department provides 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 2022/23 academic year, around 223,000 learners participated in a literacy course funded through the entitlement.
The department 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 144,000 learners in the 2022/23 academic year. Already, round 120,000 learners have participated in ESOL courses in the first two quarters of this academic year.
The department recognises that community learning within its Adult Education Budget (AEB) can play a valuable role in helping individuals improve their literacy, particularly for learners where a qualification is not the most appropriate first step.
Currently 60% of the AEB has been devolved to 9 Mayoral Combined Authorities (MCAs) and delegated to the Mayor of London, working where appropriate through the Greater London Authority (GLA). 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 (ESFA) 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.
Dec. 12 2023
Source Page: Literacy and numeracy: Education Secretary statementFound: Literacy and numeracy: Education Secretary statement
Jan. 26 2024
Source Page: Funding for Primary One Literacy Assessment and Action Resource (POLAAR) assessment: FOI releaseFound: Funding for Primary One Literacy Assessment and Action Resource (POLAAR) assessment: FOI release
Nov. 28 2023
Source Page: Scottish Government's Literacy Action Plan: FOI releaseFound: Scottish Government's Literacy Action Plan: FOI release