We are concerned that some of the statements made yesterday and much of the discussion around them will have fuelled division, fear and anxiety. Adult learning brings communities together and increases understanding and awareness of other cultures. This feels more needed than ever now.
What skills does the country need for growth and what is the balance between developing them in the UK and recruiting from outside? Whatever the answer to that question, the skills framework in England is not up to the job. It fails to get the basics right leaving too many adults with low qualifications and poor literacy, numeracy and digital skills. This is before technical skills shortages in many sectors and candidates lacking confidence and "people " skills.
Boosting the "home" skills market requires strategy and investment, neither of which are there. England lacks a comprehensive lifelong learning strategy (a gap which Skills England will only partially fill) and as for investment – we’re facing the promise of up to 6% cuts in the Adult Skills Fund on top of decades of falling spending.
So we may see: English language courses disappearing just when those coming to the country are expected to need them. Tailored Learning courses based around community activities such as crafts, cookery and essential everyday skills being defunded just at the time when meeting your neighbours and not being "strangers" is crucial. Even vocational courses such as the WEA's award winning Step into Care will be undermined by the conflation of immigration policy and lack of skills investment. These courses could disappear before any cohort of UK care workers are found to come through.
Finally, around the White Paper we are already seeing a hardening of the discussion, spilling further into xenophobia, dis/misinformation and intolerance. Safe spaces for informed discussion where a fuller understanding based on fact and compassion are urgently needed. Adult learning provides just such spaces but they will disappear if current spending plans are seen through. We call on the Skills Minister to speak urgently with the Chancellor and the Home Secretary to ensure that the future skills system is properly aligned with the needs of the economy alongside a compassionate and joined up immigration policy.
