CALL lobby of Parliament Thursday, February 26, 2009 - 12:18

Over 500 people attended the CALL lobby of Parliament on 25 February 2009 to question their MPs over the loss of 1.4m adult learning places across England in the last three years.

Whilst CALL supporters displayed their passion and commitment for adult learning, DIUS Secretary of State - John Denham - gave a robust defence of government policy.

Conservative Shadow Skills Secretary David Willetts MP and Liberal Democrat Shadow Skills Secretary Stephen Williams MP were also quizzed on their parties' policies and former Education Secretary David Blunkett MP addressed the lobby.

Additional speakers included:

CALL has called on the government to match its rhetoric on lifelong learning with proper funding.
• Kelvin Hopkins MP
• Rev John Breadon - Church of England
• Dr Abdul Bari - Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain
• Jonathan Ellis - Refugee Council
• Jennifer Adshead - National Federation Women's Institute
• Alan Tuckett - NIACE Chief Executive
• Barry Lovejoy - Joint Chair from UCU
• Beth Walker - NUS Vice-President
• Prof Richard Taylor - Chair of WEA Trustees

CALL supporters questioned John Denham's policy to prioritise funding for adult learners on employer-led, work-based learning.

Critics argue that this narrow focus has sidelined a broad range of other adult education courses, which have either closed or been forced to raise fees - leading to the loss 1.4m publicly funded adult learner places since 2005.

With the onset of recession, thousands of unemployed people are expected to look to local colleges and adult education centres to re-skill. However, CALL has warned that if the cuts continue they will find their options limited.

Of the courses shut to date, the greatest losses have been short vocational courses in Health, Public Services and Care, Preparation for Life and Work, and Information and Communication Technology.

Many non-vocational courses have also been forced to close and CALL has highlighted the value of such courses for citizens' personal, cultural, social, emotional, health and care needs.

Campaigners warn that those with low skills, growing numbers of retired people, those with English as a second language, and people whose long-term mental and physical health difficulties restrict their employment options, will be particularly hard-hit by the changes. CALL has called on the government to match its rhetoric on lifelong learning with proper funding.