NIACE is currently
in discussion with Government and lawyers on the balance of the law
concerning Age Discrimination Legislation and how this affects providers.
NIACE’s overall concern has been that providers avoid any legal risk where
they make an objective judgement about concessionary policy.
In NIACE’s view, a balance needs to be struck between two policy goals:
Access. Since many older people have a cultural resistance to
means-testing, there is a risk that the ending of universal concessions
for older people will reduce participation amongst less affluent older
people – who are in any case under-represented. Providers may conclude
that the maintenance of a universal concession is the most effective way
of securing participation by less affluent older people.
Maximising the offer. With few exceptions adult learning
opportunities always involve learners in meeting a proportion of the cost
of provision. Since there is never enough money to meet all adults’
aspirations for learning, NIACE has long believed that everyone –
individuals, employers and the state – needs to invest more. Asking people
who can afford to pay full fees means public investment can stretch
further maximising the opportunities on offer. Since some people over 60
or 65 can afford to pay, concessions to them can have the effect of
reducing the budget that can be used to broaden the curriculum offer.
