HOLEX: Submission to the Treasury

A change of direction to benefit all – a People’s Skills Strategy.

The time to act is now.

Investing in adult education is not just a moral imperative; it’s a “spend to save” policy.

Adult skills acquisition and education have a profound impact on individuals, communities, and the economy. Investing in adult education yields public and economic benefits that go beyond the individual learner or a business’s bottom line. It contributes to broader societal goals, including improved health and well-being, community integration, and a better quality of life. Adult education plays a crucial role in reducing structural inequalities and supports the government’s five missions, particularly the goal of breaking down barriers to opportunity.

Access the full submission here.

Asks of Government:

ASK 1. Develop a Cross-Government Infrastructure: Establish an enabling framework that facilitates a lifelong learning strategy for all ages. Which covers skills acquisition from pre-entry to level 7 and recognises the power of adult education to build communities.

ASK 2. Prioritise Education Equity: Sustain a relentless focus on providing educational opportunities for adults who are most distant from employment and community engagement.

ASK 3. Implement a Fair Funding System: over the life of this parliament increase the adult skills budget by £5 billion.  Create an equitable funding structure that allows all adults to participate in learning opportunities by ensuring those with low skills benefit from the money available for tertiary education.