Where Now for Adult Learning?

With 6 billion British pounds of public spending reductions already on the table, and far deeper cuts inevitable, what are the prospects for adult learning in the new Parliament? Some of the regular contributors of this journal were asked what they expected and what they would like to see. Ewart Keep warns that the coalition parties' commitments to schools and apprenticeships will mean bigger cuts elsewhere. David Rogers argues that local authorities need the flexibility to invest locally in adult learning, especially when it saves funding down the line on other budgets. Sally Hunt says ministers should speak to learners and frontline staff to find out what's at stake. Christopher Walden thinks that a small "win" in the initial announcements in the spring will mean nothing if adult funding is slashed in the autumn. Bob Fryer argues that creating the "big society" will demand a renewed commitment to education for independent and critical citizenship. Stephen Gorard says investing in proper research would save money on ineffective solutions and improve provision by backing schemes with the most chance of success. Ceri Williams suggests that there is a need to keep speaking up for adult learning and highlight those parts of the work that resonate with the "big society". Wendy Jones thinks that the new Parliament will see a bigger contribution to learning from outside the formal education sector. Ralph Hartley says there is waste but cuts must be accompanied by a restructuring of the funding system.