3.1 The obstacles standing in the way of extending opportunities for lifelong learning to all and of generating a learning culture have been widely researched and documented. There is no need to replicate those findings in detail here, but they need to be publicised more widely. This would increase general understanding of their extent and test how far they coincide with the experience of those people who should be, but are not yet, beneficiaries or providers of lifelong learning.

3.2 Most importantly, urgent practical steps need to be taken, at all appropriate levels, to eliminate or minimise the obstacles to the development of lifelong learning. They cost time, money and most of all they impede the development of an accessible learning culture for all. Government alone cannot undertake this last task, nor should it be expected to do so in a genuinely learning culture.

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