Today I am publishing “The Learning Revolution”, a White Paper on informal adult learning. Copies have been placed in the Library of the House.

The boom in book clubs, on-line research and blogging, together with the continuing popularity of museums, public lectures and adult education classes, all demonstrate that people in this country have a passion for learning. This informal adult learning can transform people’s lives and makes a huge contribution to the well-being of the nation. It is a growing movement this Government are proud to foster and encourage.

Our ambition is for every adult to be able to access and benefit from a wide choice of informal adult learning. But like many services and opportunities, some people find them easier to access than others. We recognise we can do more to ensure that inspiring opportunities are available in every community, accessible to everyone.

The White Paper reaffirms the commitment to informal adult learning across Government. It sets out how we will facilitate this by building capacity within individuals and communities and connecting the people who can make this happen.

Government can not do this alone. Our role is to be a catalyst for innovation and change. We will invest an additional £30 million in 2009-10, from within DIUS existing baselines, to support the innovation we want to see. But it will take the continued efforts of all those who have been engaged with us to date, and many more, to continue the learning revolution.