Foreword Learning throughout life has never been more important. We live in an increasingly competitive world where skills are crucial to maintaining and improving our standard of living. But lifelong learning has other benefits. It contributes to our quality of life, promotes active citizenship and can help to end social exclusion by giving people and communities real hope of future prosperity and well-being. The potential of the Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) to enable more people to undertake effective learning in a range of different contexts has long been accepted. This study brings together real examples and activities within the framework of lifelong learning for the first time. It draws together valuable strategic and process lessons for Government and for its partners involved in social regeneration and learning issues. It is clear that initiatives like the SRB offer invaluable opportunities to develop and, in the longer term, to disseminate good practice and expertise. Many of its outcomes are highly relevant to mainstream policy development and practice. Many of the issues raised here are being addressed through other governmental studies and reviews, and this study has helped inform these, including most notably the recently published White Paper Learning to Succeed (Cm 4392) (The Stationery Office, 1999).

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