Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the effect of lifelong learning on (a) economic growth and productivity, (b) unemployment and (c) the health and wellbeing of people involved in lifelong learning.

The Government recognises the importance of lifelong learning as a way for individuals to upskill and reskill throughout their lives, letting them access and stay in secure employment in response to labour market shifts such as increasing automation. Allowing workers to respond to these shifts contributes to the country’s economic resilience and productivity. Continuing to learn can also play a role in wellbeing later in life.