Centre to bolster adult basic skills campaign

A new university-based national research centre will be part of a £1.5 billion, three-year campaign to tackle Britain's adult basic skills deficit, education secretary David Blunkett announced this week.

It is estimated that 7 million adults have poor reading and maths skills. Mr Blunkett said the campaign would provide free training for all adults who wanted it through the University for Industry's learndirect service. The research centre would help develop best practice.