The Government is enforcing savage cuts to the funding of vitally important sections of Adult Education across the Country. They are diverting massive amounts of funds from so called 'Personal Development' courses to 'Vocational' courses, primarily aimed at the under twenty fives, many of whom have left the secondary education system without the ability to fill in a job application form.

Liverpool City Council is cutting 1.5 million pounds from the Adult Learning Service budget at the worst possible time considering our standing as Capital of Culture 2008. Learning Centres will be closed, 100 teachers will lose their jobs and in consequence thousands of students will be deprived of a place. Cuts will take effect from September 2006.

I have received over ninety letters from students expressing their shock, dismay, disappointment and horror of news of the cuts. One student says: 'Having moved to this City ten years ago, I felt an extreme pride to be part of such a wonderful, vibrant place, soon to be the Capital of Culture. Unfortunately however, we are seeing so much money wasted to entice others to our City that the Council are forgetting the real reason why this community is so special.....'. As you can imagine I have many more such quotes.

It is my opinion that Adult Education currently does more than securing the economic future of our City; it has a much wider role. It is the engine that creates a cultured and civilised society, develops the spiritual side of our lives, supports our health and promotes active citizenship throughout our lives. Adult Learning enables us to play a full part in our community, to remain productive and give our lives meaning.

It helps us fulfil our potential, gives us a second chance (in many cases the only chance) to improve our lives and opens doors to a love of music, art, languages, history and literature.

It provides a stepping stone for many of us, (myself included), to gain the confidence to aspire to higher forms of education. It strengthens the family unit, the neighbourhood and consequently the City as a whole. This is why we should all value LEARNING FOR ITS OWN SAKE and the benefits it brings.

As well as providing funding for employers to have an educated workforce we should have an obligation to provide sufficient funding for Adult Learning as a whole. Adult Learning should be something which is enjoyed to its full potential and taken advantage of by people of any age, income or ability. We don’t want an Adult Education system in our City that will only meet the needs of employers and those who are fortunate enough to be able to afford tuition fees.

The Council says that the problem starts with Government funding and calls them the 'culprits'. That's true - and this doesn't only apply to Liverpool, but I say that the Councillors must take action and ensure that their Council make it a high priority within it's own budget to preserve opportunities for local people.

I call on everyone who is in, or has benefited from Adult Education in the past, (including City Councillors), to make their views known and do everything within their power to preserve and promote wider participation in this essential amenity.

If Adult Learning is reduced then so is the culture of our City.