In June 2025, our Principal and CEO, Dipa Ganguli OBE, sent a powerful open letter to the Prime Minister and our local MP, Sir Keir Starmer. Her message was urgent and clear: adult education in the UK is at breaking point. Without decisive action, millions of adults risk being left behind.
Working Men’s College, the oldest adult education institution in Europe, has been a cornerstone of inclusive, community-based learning in Camden for generations. However, despite cross-government recognition that adult reskilling is vital to economic growth and wellbeing, the strategy and funding to support it remain missing.
“Despite strategies across government identifying skills as essential, the Department for Education continues to operate without a dedicated adult skills strategy. This makes it difficult to direct investment where it is urgently needed,” Dipa writes.
Why the status quo isn’t working
From digital inclusion to green energy, construction to healthcare, the UK is facing critical skills shortages. Yet, year after year, adult learners are excluded from funding priorities, while most attention and investment go to schools and apprenticeships.
Of course, children’s services must be protected. However, this should not come at the cost of education equity for adults, especially those who never had access to fair opportunities in the first place.
Why this letter matters….
Dipa’s letter explains why adult education must be central to delivering the government’s top five priorities:
- Kickstarting the economy through skills and retraining
- Building the NHS workforce to reduce staffing shortages
- Supporting green jobs with sustainability training
- Improving wellbeing and reducing pressure on public services
- Creating safer communities through skills and inclusion
It goes beyond the economic case. Adult learning also strengthens families, builds confidence, and supports civic participation. It empowers people to lead fuller, more connected lives.
“Adult education isn’t an extra – it’s essential. It underpins a stronger economy, healthier communities and a fairer society. Yet government funding continues to focus almost exclusively on young people, leaving adult learners behind,” says Dipa.
In a follow-up to the letter, Dipa also called for immediate action:
“If we’re serious about education equity and opportunity for all — not just the young — we need a properly funded national strategy. I urge everyone who believes in lifelong learning to speak to their MP and demand action. The continued neglect of adult education is not just short-sighted – it’s reckless.”
Help us take a stand – what you can do?
If you believe education should be for everyone, not just the young, we need your voice.
Here’s how you can help:
- Write to your MP – ask them to champion a national strategy for adult skills.
- Talk about the value of adult learning in your community and networks.
- Share this letter – help raise awareness of the urgent need for funding.
Together, we can send a strong message:
Investing in adult education means investing in people, communities, and the future of the UK.
Thank you for standing with us.
Read the letter below:
|
|
Read the letter to the MP, in full
|
