UCU welcomes government white paper on informal adult learning

The union said the paper was timely, but has warned that especially now at a time of recession, pathways to learning must remain open. UCU is concerned that over 1.4 million places have been lost in the last two years in English adult education due to cuts and fee rises

Commenting on the 'Learning Revolution' white paper from the Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills, UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: 'We welcome the acknowledgement of the power of learning for its own sake. We also believe that we cannot afford to be losing courses at a time when access to all forms of adult learning has never been more important. Many of the responses to the consultation stressed the importance of professional and qualified adult tutors, able to teach and guide learners to higher and deeper study. We hope that the discussions following the white paper do not neglect this crucial aspect of adult learning.

'We are pleased the report empowers local councils to co-ordinate efforts to support lifelong learning and people facing redundancy in the current climate. UCU members have the experience of dealing with recessions and many are already tailoring courses to respond to patterns of job losses, or likely losses, in their local areas. We urge the government to properly support these efforts.'