International report on adult education a 'wake-up' call for funding

The union was responding to research from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), which says that developed countries need to urgently scale-up their adult learning systems to help people adapt to the changing world of work.

The report comes after research from the Social Mobility Commission showed that the UK spends relatively little on adult skills, and that people from the lowest socio-economic backgrounds are the least likely to access adult learning.

UCU head of policy Matt Waddup said: 'This report must act as a wake-up call to the government on the need for urgent investment in adult education. At a time when the world of work is changing rapidly, the funding which supports people to improve their skills and retrain has been slashed.

'The government needs to urgently invest in adult education and ensure that everyone who would benefit from learning can access it.'