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<p>The department recognises the importance of good literacy skills, both in work
and everyday life. Securing good levels of literacy has a positive impact on participation
in society, improves earnings and employment opportunities and opens doors to further
learning.</p><p>The department participates in the OECD’s International Survey of
Adult Skills, which was last conducted in England and 24 other countries in 2011-12.
The results show that 16% of 16-65-year-olds have the literacy skills of an 11 year
old, or lower. The next survey is due to report in late 2024. A link to view the OECD
adult skills surveys can be found here: <a href="https://www.oecd.org/skills/piaac/"
target="_blank">https://www.oecd.org/skills/piaac/</a>.</p><p>The government has also
conducted the Skills for Life survey in 2011 which provided a national profile of
adult literacy, numeracy, and ICTskills, and assessed the impact that different levels
of skills had on people’s lives. The survey findings were published in 2012 and reported
that, in England, 15% of the working age population have the literacy skills of an
11 year old, or lower (an estimated 5 million people).</p><p>The department also gathers
data annually from providers delivering government funded adult further education
(FE) and skills provision in England. The latest statistics can be found here: <a
href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/further-education-and-skills-march-2024"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/further-education-and-skills-march-2024</a>.</p><p>To
improve essential literacy and numeracy skills, a legal entitlement was introduced
through the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 (Sections 87-89).This
legal entitlement can be viewed here: <a href="https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2009/22/part/4/chapter/1/crossheading/education-and-training-for-persons-aged-19-or-over-etc"
target="_blank">https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2009/22/part/4/chapter/1/crossheading/education-and-training-for-persons-aged-19-or-over-etc</a>.</p><p>Through
its legal entitlement, the department provides fully-funded study for adults who do
not have essential literacy skills up to the equivalent of a GCSE grade 4/C or higher.
In the 2022/23 academic year, around 223,000 learners participated in a literacy course
funded through the entitlement.</p><p>The department supports all adults for whom
English is not their first language to secure the English language skills they need.
Adults are fully-funded or co-funded to study English for Speakers of Other Languages
(ESOL) courses and qualifications up to and including GCSE 4/C equivalent. The number
of learners participating in ESOL courses and qualifications continues to grow, with
around 144,000 learners in the 2022/23 academic year. Already, round 120,000 learners
have participated in ESOL courses in the first two quarters of this academic year.</p><p>The
department recognises that community learning within its Adult Education Budget (AEB)
can play a valuable role in helping individuals improve their literacy, particularly
for learners where a qualification is not the most appropriate first step.</p><p>Currently
60% of the AEB has been devolved to 9 Mayoral Combined Authorities (MCAs) and delegated
to the Mayor of London, working where appropriate through the Greater London Authority
(GLA). These authorities are responsible for the provision of adult education and
allocation of the AEB in their local areas, including funding of English and maths
statutory entitlements. The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) is responsible
for the remaining AEB in non-devolved areas where colleges and other training providers
have the freedom and flexibility to determine how they use their AEB to best meet
the needs of their communities.</p>
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