To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Reading West of 28 January 2009, Official Report, column 594W, on vocational training: finance, what assessment he has made of the reasons for the increase in the number of learners aged 25 years and over in (a) 2004-05 and (b) 2005-06. (254451)

[holding answer 5 February 2009]: The target audience for the Skills for Life strategy is adults in England with literacy and/or numeracy skills below Level 2 and this includes learners aged 25 years and over. The increase in the number of Skills for Life (literacy, language and numeracy) learners aged 25 years and over (and in all other age groups) in 2004-05 and 2005-06 was part of our Skills for Life strategy to improve the basic skills of 2.25 million adults between 2001 and 2010.

The strategy is based around boosting demand, ensuring capacity, raising standards and increasing learner achievement. The boosting demand element included work with employers to raise awareness of the issue and the successful 'Get On' campaign to encourage individuals to improve their skills. DIUS is refreshing its Skills for Life strategy and will soon be publishing a delivery document.