Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal meets London learners at an event for adults’ access to essential skills learning

Date:

08 12 2025

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English, maths & digital ESOL Essential & life skills

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On Wednesday 3 December, Learning and Work Institute was delighted to welcome their patron, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal to an event in London about essential skills for learning and life, like literacy, numeracy and digital.

Her Royal Highness met learners from City Lit and Morley College, who shared their education journeys, their experiences of developing essential skills, and the difference this has made to their lives and careers.

Learning and Work Institute works to ensure every adult has the essential skills needed for life and for work – such as literacy and numeracy – which are crucial for economic growth and giving everyone a fair chance in life. Yet across the UK, too many adults are held back by low essential skills, affecting their job and pay prospects, their ability to access public services and limiting social inclusion.

Almost nine million working-age adults in England have low literacy or numeracy. The number of adults improving these skills has fallen by two thirds over the past decade in England, and public investment in skills in England is £1 billion lower in real terms than in 2010.

On current trends, it will take almost 20 years for everyone who needs support to receive it. With millions missing out on opportunities in life, in learning, and at work, Learning and Work Institute works to renew focus and set a higher national ambition on adult essential skills.

Stephen Evans, Chief Executive of Learning and Work Institute, said:
Doubling the number of adults improving their skills each year, returning us to 2010 levels of skills improvements, would boost the economy by £22bn, and mean an extra 3.5m people gaining essential literacy, numeracy and digital skills by 2035. To achieve this, we need employers to invest in and use skills, to test new community-based ways of increasing participation in learning, to prioritise essential skills as a nation, and to better join up learning, work and other public services so they reach those who need help most.
Mark Malcomson CBE, Chief Executive of City Lit, said:
City Lit is exceptionally proud to welcome thousands of adults through our doors each year who gain essential skills that can transform lives. Meeting Her Royal Highness today was a wonderful opportunity to showcase our Centre for Deaf Education. Students and colleagues shared how learning British Sign Language and English opens up many opportunities to work and establish a community. It underlines how vital inclusive education is in ensuring that every adult has the chance to thrive.
Susan Bonett, Principal and CEO of Morley College, said:
Essential Skills are aptly named; they are essential for the individual, for the community, and for the economy. So we are delighted that Her Royal Highness has visited today, raising awareness of this vital area of our national education system. Morley College London is committed to delivering these skills, but we need sustained national priority and adequate funding to meet the immense demand and deliver opportunity for all.