Two members of the Research Circle – John Holford and Jol Miskin – have recently had letters published within the Guardian. These letters respond to an editorial concerned with the need to broaden adult education for all ages, as well as the need to address complicated administrative and funding arrangements. The editorial considers Alan Milburn’s interim report on young adults not in education, employment or training (NEET); and a report from the All Party Parliamentary Group focused on broadening reforms for older adults. This latter report highlights a lack of vision for adult education, which is a long-established problem within the UK.
John and Jol’s letters highlight difficulties with a narrowing of adult education since the 1980s, which overly focuses on skills and employment. They argue that broader adult education has been wiped out by austerity, where CV writing and becoming work ready become a priority. These letters can be found below, which also advocate for defending democracy, active citizenship and a broader social purpose for lifelong learning.
John Holford’s Letter to the Guardian
“Your editorial makes a strong case for lifelong adult education (The Guardian view on adult education: learning should be for all ages, 25 October). But like the report by the all party parliamentary group on further education that it refers to, it overlooks one vital dimension: we need adult education to defend democracy.
For most of the last century, adult education’s role in creating democratic civil society was widely accepted, not least by policymakers. The Ministry of Reconstruction made the case in 1919: “universal and lifelong” adult education was “a permanent national necessity, an inseparable aspect of citizenship”.
It would cultivate “an open habit of mind, clear-sighted and truth-loving, proof against sophisms, shibboleths, claptrap phrases and cant”. Later official reports agreed. The result – built up over decades – was a rich and broad adult education provided not only in further education but also through voluntary organisations and universities.
In just a few years from the mid‑1980s, this was swept away. Since the 1990s, the central purpose of adult education – at least for policymakers – has become serving the economy. Wider concerns, from democratic citizenship to personal fulfilment, have been marginal at best. The infrastructure of provision has been vandalised. Funding been cut to the bone, while the organisations that provide courses – once genuine partners whose voices were taken seriously – have been treated as “delivery boys” for the current Whitehall fad.
Bringing democratic purpose and practice back into adult education, rebuilding a vibrant infrastructure of providers and listening to the voices of students and professionals could make adult education a bulwark of democracy again. It would involve a radical turn away from “40 years of neoliberalism”, which Andy Burnham tells us he would welcome. It would help the country’s societal resilience in the face of authoritarianism. Above all, it would make people’s lives truly richer.”
Jol Miskin’s Letter to the Guardian
“Your editorial correctly points out that it isn’t only young adults who need to learn new skills; it’s all adults. And it’s not just narrowly about skills. I worked for the Workers’ Educational Association (WEA) for 30 years until 2018. During that period there were ups and downs to do with funding and government support, or lack of it, but by comparison with today those years were glorious.
In my city of Sheffield, you would have found courses in most localities. The offer was broad – from art, literature, writers’ workshops and history to information and communications technology, politics, weaving and yoga. The focus and curriculum was on education with a social purpose, and there was an absolute commitment to encouraging adults who’d been denied opportunities first time round and giving them a second chance.
This type of education brought people together, broke down barriers, helped people’s mental health, and developed knowledge and confidence. It built skills too: teamwork, speaking and listening, writing, constructing an argument etc.
And today? Well, I searched the current WEA offer in South Yorkshire and was shocked to find a very short list of courses: Driving Theory, CV Writing, Work Ready, Conversation with Crafting (ESOL), and Ace the Interview. And that’s it!
This is scandalous. The austerity years pretty much crushed adult education and any notion of lifelong learning. Is the education secretary looking at this? She should be.”
You can read the letter responses in full to the Guardian editorial on their website via the following link:
https://www.theguardian.com/education/2026/nov/01/this-government-should-rebuild-adult-education-as-a-democratic-bulwark
