Stop the cuts.
You can’t grow an economy while cutting the opportunity to power it.
#BackAdultLearning
The reality.
Britain needs skills. But support is shrinking.
Adult education funding has not increased since 2019. After years of inflation and rising delivery costs, this flat-lined budget now amounts to a major real-terms cut. These pressures come at the worst possible time, with sectors such as health, digital, green energy and public services all experiencing severe skills shortages.
The contradiction is stark: while the government calls for growth, productivity and a stronger workforce, the very adults who could fill those roles are being priced out of the opportunity to retrain, progress and contribute.
We’re proud to stand alongside the Association of Colleges in supporting the #AdultLearningPays campaign, calling for fair funding and meaningful investment in adult skills.
Why this campaign matters.
We hear it every day: “This course changed my life.”
Our learners tell us that returning to education gave them more than just qualifications, it gave them a future. But those futures are under threat. Colleges are being asked to do more with less: close skills gaps, serve employers, change lives, all while battling budget cuts and unnecessary bureaucracy.
We interviewed people whose lives and work are shaped by Further Education. Their stories reveal a simple truth: when you protect access to Further Education, you change lives and strengthen society.
Watch their stories below.
What we’re calling for.
We’re asking government to fund, trust and reform.
We’re calling for practical changes that will protect opportunity and strengthen communities. Adult education needs fair, sustained investment, with funding restored and protected for the long term. Colleges must be freed from the red tape that slows delivery, treated fairly through VAT reform, and trusted to respond to the skills needs of their local areas. These steps are essential if Britain is serious about building a stronger, more skilled workforce.
What you’ll see.
Real voices. Real impact.
This campaign puts real stories front and centre, from adults who have gained new careers and newfound confidence, to the staff who guide learners through life-changing journeys, and the employers who rely on skilled adults every day to grow their businesses.
Our message is clear.
Stop the cuts. Back adult learning.
Cutting adult education funding holds Britain back. It restricts opportunity, slows the economy and limits social mobility. From essential English and Maths to higher technical qualifications, adult learning powers our workforce. Without it, we all lose.
Get involved.
Share your voice. Be part of the story.
Your voice can help protect adult education. Whether you’ve studied with us, supported learners or relied on skilled adults in your workplace, your experience matters. Share your story, spread the message or contact your MP - every action strengthens the case for fair funding.
Share your story online #BackAdultLearning
What this campaign stands for.
Hope. Fairness. Opportunity.
Every adult has potential and education unlocks it. But when funding is cut, so is that future. We will keep fighting for learners, communities and the future of adult skills.
Our response.
We’re not giving up. We’re stepping up.
As one of the UK’s largest and most impactful college groups, we’re committed to keeping opportunity open. We continue to protect access wherever possible, offering free and funded routes, flexible study options, personalised support and clear pathways into real, meaningful jobs.
We work closely with employers who urgently need skilled adults. Even in the face of cuts, we’re investing in services that help adults build confidence, gain recognised qualifications and move forward.
If you’re thinking about returning to learning, now is the time. Explore our adult courses and take the first step towards new skills, new opportunities and a stronger future.
