Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what support his Department provides to adults without a level 2 qualification in (a) English and (b) maths to allow them to undertake further study.

We recognise the importance of helping adults to secure a good level of English and maths. We provide full funding for adults in England to undertake a range of approved English and maths courses, from entry level up to level 2 (GCSE or equivalent). In addition, we provide full funding for unemployed adults who are looking for work to study English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) courses, and 50% of the course fee for other adults who need ESOL.

We are also improving the quality of curriculum that adults are taught by reforming maths and English Functional Skills qualifications. This is to improve their rigour and quality and make sure that these qualifications help adults gain the English and maths skills that employers need.