9 October 2008

Public buildings could be opened up for free or at subsidised prices for use by adult learning groups, Skills Secretary John Denham announced today, as he pledged to work with Culture Secretary Andy Burnham to secure better access to libraries, museums and colleges.

The proposals form part of Skills Secretary John Denham's promise to bring to life a new vision to help adults learn for pleasure and personal or community development, and were endorsed by respondents to the recent consultation, Informal Adult Learning - Shaping the Way Ahead. A report on this consultation was published today. Culture Secretary Andy Burnham today launched his review of public libraries, asking how they can modernise, embrace the digital age and better involve their local communities.

The DIUS consultation, which began in January 2008, has kickstarted a discussion on informal adult learning for the 21st century and received a welcome 5,500 responses. DIUS will work closely with partners over the coming months to develop a comprehensive strategy on informal adult learning.

Skills Secretary John Denham said:

"Let us be clear that informal learning is valued by Government. We recognise the enormous contribution it makes to the quality of life, health and well-being of individuals, neighbourhoods and wider society. We want to raise the profile and take-up of informal learning wherever it happens.

"But the informal learning picture has always been bigger than just publicly funded learning delivered through traditional adult education services. Our vision is much wider than traditional classes, important as they are. "

In his report published today, ahead of the formal strategy, John Denham acknowledged the concerns of some respondents that online delivery might replace face to face learning. He has provided firm reassurances that this is not the case. Mr Denham wants to make sure that informal learning is not left behind in the technology stakes and believes, as do many respondents, that technology can be used in combination with face to face classes to make learning more enjoyable and accessible. He also wants to see better links between different kinds of learning - public, private, voluntary and self-organised - to create a rich mix of opportunities at the local level.

Responses to the consultation endorsed the suggestion that:

• Decision-making about the mix of available learning opportunities needs to be placed more firmly in the hands of local people and communities;

• Government should facilitate and stimulate self-organised learning by securing better access to public and private spaces, such as libraries, so that groups of learners can pursue their interests;

• Learners should be able to move easily from one learning experience to another - perhaps a museum visit or TV programme signposting adults to supplementary online material which could lead in turn to a local discussion group or taught course;

• Public funding should prioritise adults who have had the least access in the in the past and are least able to fund their own learning; and

• Technology should support learning, opening doors for the many adults who do not want, or are unable to attend traditional venues.

Ministers also committed to developing a framework of core values to underpin all kinds of informal learning, whether delivered by public, voluntary, self-organised or private sector organisations.