ADULT LEARNERS' WEEK 9 TO 15 MAY

That this House welcomes Adult Learners' Week and the events being organised all over the country to celebrate the achievements of adult learners; notes with regret the cuts to the number of Learning and Skills Council-funded adult learner places, which have led to 865,000 fewer female learners and 375,000 fewer male learners since 2004-05; is concerned about the opportunities that have been closed to some of the most vulnerable people, including those with learning disabilities and other disabilities; regrets the failure to plan the adult apprenticeship budget, which is likely to lead to a decrease in the number of places available; is further concerned about the slow pace of the Government's attempt to deal with the capital crisis in further education; and calls on Ministers to provide new opportunities to adult learners during the recession.