I have been asked to reply.
Discussions have taken place at a ministerial level with a wide range of Departments and we will continue to work closely with ministerial colleagues to ensure that people can lead healthy and fulfilling lives by participating fully in work, education and society as a whole. We want to raise people's aspirations and significantly broaden participation, progression and achievement in learning by creating the best learning offer possible and enabling individuals and communities to improve and prosper.
We recognise the many wider benefits of participation in learning and its vital contribution to personal health and well-being, community involvement and quality of life, especially as people age. Learning helps people to fulfil themselves as active citizens and as members of their families and communities. People who keep mentally and physically active not only live longer but live happier and more fulfilled lives and pursuing learning can play a real part in this. Our Skills and Skills for Life Strategies, the Employability Skills Programme and projects like Skilled for Health will ensure the continuing availability of a wide range of learning opportunities in every area for adult learners, including older people. In addition, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, launched a consultation on informal adult learning on 15 January 2008 which will look specifically at improving synergy across informal adult learning funded by all Government Departments.