New City College launches campaign urging government to protect adult education

New City College has launched a campaign calling for urgent action to protect adult education, warning that years of flat funding have resulted in a significant real-terms cut that is now limiting opportunities for millions of adults across the UK.

Despite its proven impact, government funding for adult education has not increased since 2019. After years of inflation and rising delivery costs, this amounts to a substantial erosion of resources, one that is now being felt by learners, employers, communities and the wider economy.

Adult learning drives confidence, skills and opportunity but continues to be undervalued

Adult education is one of the country’s most powerful tools for personal growth, economic resilience and social cohesion. Every day, adults use learning to:

  • retrain or step into new careers

  • rebuild confidence and wellbeing

  • gain essential digital and technical skills

  • connect with others and combat isolation

  • support their families and communities

The impact reaches far beyond the classroom. Employers gain a more adaptable workforce. Communities strengthen. Society becomes more inclusive. Yet, despite these wide-reaching benefits, adult education remains persistently undervalued and underfunded, and the consequences are becoming increasingly visible.

A strategic investment, not a cost

With the right support, adult learning can help the UK tackle multiple challenges at once:

  • Closing skills gaps in health, digital, green jobs and public services

  • Boosting productivity and supporting economic growth

  • Reducing inequality, especially for those who missed out first time around

  • Strengthening communities through confidence, connection and wellbeing

  • Supporting employers who urgently need skilled adults

New City College’s campaign seeks to shift the narrative, thath adult education is not a cost - it is a strategic investment in the country’s future.

Real stories show the tangible impact of learning

Stop the Cuts: Back Adult Learning is an awareness campaign showcasing the human impact of adult learning and the consequences of its decline. Through videos, interviews and real stories, the campaign highlights learners who have changed their lives, staff who guide them, employers who rely on them, and the communities strengthened by FE. Theses include:

  • adults rebuilding their lives after years out of work

  • people retraining for new careers in fast-growing sectors

  • learners overcoming barriers through funded access and tailored support

  • former adult learners now working in FE and giving back

  • employers who depend on skilled adults to meet workforce needs

“Before I joined the course, I felt stuck. This gave me direction, confidence and a clear next step.”
— Cameron, Adult Learner

“I’d been out of work for years. College didn’t just teach me digital skills, it brought me back into the world.”
— Tracey, Adult Learner

“Our workforce depends on skilled adults. Without colleges, we simply couldn’t meet demand.”
— Employer Partner

“Without funded courses, I wouldn’t be able to study, and with technology moving so fast, it’s easy to fall behind.”
— Rajesh, Adult Learner

“My disability means I can’t always work, so studying here, with funded support, has helped me hugely.”
— Sophia, Adult Learner

“Starting a new career begins with learning the basics, and college gives you the support to build your skills and move up.”
— Saul, Adult Learner

New City College’s message to policymakers

New City College is calling for government to:

  • Increase adult education funding, reversing a real-terms cut since 2019

  • Reduce bureaucracy so colleges can respond quickly to local skills needs

  • Reform VAT, which currently costs FE colleges millions each year

  • Recognise adult learning as a strategic national priority

“You cannot grow an economy while cutting the people who power it. Adult education delivers skills, confidence and opportunity and the UK needs all three.”
— New City College Spokesperson

Key statistics on national adult learning data

  • 1.83 million adults took part in FE and skills in 2023/24.

  • Adult learning participation grew 5.8% last year.

  • Adult training starts have fallen from 5.5 million to 1.5 million over 20 years (IFS).

  • Workplace training days are down 19% since 2011.

  • Funding for adult learning remains 20% below 2009 levels, with further reductions expected.

  • A Level 3 qualification delivers around £78,000 in lifetime economic benefit.

  • Most FE learners progress into work or further study within a year.

  • FE addresses skills shortages in health, digital, construction, engineering and green industries.

  • Adult learning improves wellbeing, confidence and social inclusion (Learning & Work Institute).

  • Underinvestment restricts productivity, limits mobility and slows economic growth.

Join the movement

Follow our campaign, share the stories, and help us call for change.
#BackAdultLearning #AdultLearningPays