Nine million adults in England lack essential literacy and numeracy skills with skill level disparities within local areas far exceeding those between local and combined authorities, a new study has revealed.
The analysis from Learning & Work Institute (L&W) also found that the number of adults improving these skills has reduced by more than 60% over the past decade and warned that Government investment in skills is set to be £1bn less in 2025 than it was in 2010.
In an England-wide modelling exercise of adults aged 16 to 64, L&W revealed that the proportion of adults lacking functional literacy or numeracy varies from 15% in Didsbury West, Manchester, to 39% in Heslington, York.
It also found that an area of lower overall need can mask pockets of high need. London, for example, has the third lowest percentage of people with essential skills needs among the combined authorities. However, it is also home to 10 of the 20 wards with the highest essential skills needs.
Greater Manchester, meanwhile, has the third highest percentage of essential skills needs amongst the combined authorities but includes six of the 20 wards in England with the lowest percentage of essential skills needs nationally.
L&W argues the Government should aim for 90% of adults to have the essential skills they need for life and work by 2035, up from 75% today.
