Addressing the Adult Literacy Crisis: A Call to Action for Lifelong Learning

We Can’t Afford to Overlook Adult Literacy and Numeracy Any Longer

Here’s a statistic that should make us all stop and think: around 8.5 million working-age adults in England have low literacy, numeracy, or both.

While skills levels have improved over the past decade, that’s still around one in five adults who may face barriers in work, education and everyday life because they lack the essential skills many of us take for granted.

It’s easy to see literacy and numeracy as purely educational issues, but the reality is much bigger than that. These skills affect people’s confidence, career opportunities, financial wellbeing and ability to support their families. They also play a vital role in helping businesses grow and communities thrive.

That’s why we can’t afford to overlook adult literacy and numeracy any longer.

Looking Beyond the Numbers

Behind every statistic is a real person. It might be someone who struggles to complete a job application, understand workplace documents or manage household finances. It could be a parent who wants to help their child with homework but lacks the confidence to do so. Or it might be an employee who has the potential to progress in their career but feels held back by gaps in their skills.

For many adults, these challenges can affect confidence just as much as capability.

The good news is that skills can be developed at any stage of life. With the right support, people can gain the confidence and knowledge they need to unlock new opportunities.

What Can We Learn from Successful Programmes?

Over recent years, initiatives such as the government’s Multiply programme have shown what’s possible when learning is designed around people’s lives.

Running from 2022 to 2025, Multiply helped adults improve their numeracy skills through flexible learning delivered in workplaces, community venues, libraries and local organisations. Its success highlighted something that many providers already know: when learning is accessible, relevant and welcoming, adults are far more likely to engage.

The lessons from programmes like Multiply remain important today. Adult education works best when it removes barriers and meets learners where they are.

Creating Opportunities for Adults to Re-engage with Learning

Returning to learning can feel daunting. Many adults have busy lives, balancing work, family responsibilities and other commitments. Others may carry negative memories of school or worry about being judged for asking for help.

That’s why creating supportive learning environments matters so much.

Whether learning takes place in a community setting, online or in the workplace, adults need to feel encouraged, respected and valued. Building confidence is often the first step towards building skills.When learners feel supported, they’re more likely to take that next step and continue their learning journey.

Why Employers Have a Role to Play

Adult literacy and numeracy aren’t just issues for education providers to solve.Employers have an important role to play too.

As jobs continue to evolve and workplaces become increasingly reliant on technology, strong literacy and numeracy skills are more important than ever. Employees need to interpret information, communicate effectively, solve problems and adapt to change.

By investing in workforce development, employers can help staff build confidence and capability while supporting productivity, engagement and long-term business success. It’s not simply about filling skills gaps; it’s about helping people reach their full potential.

Stronger Skills, Stronger Communities

Community organisations, training providers, employers and policymakers all have a part to play in tackling this challenge. When adults improve their literacy and numeracy skills, the benefits extend far beyond the individual. Families gain confidence, employers gain skilled employees and communities become stronger and more resilient.Most importantly, people gain greater control over their futures.

Looking Ahead

The fact that millions of adults in England still have low literacy and numeracy skills should be a call to action for all of us.

We know that accessible, flexible learning can change lives. We know that strong essential skills support employment, confidence and economic growth. And we know that it’s never too late for someone to learn. The challenge now is making sure those opportunities remain available to the people who need them most.

At City Skills, we believe everyone deserves the chance to develop the skills they need to succeed. By continuing to invest in adult learning and working together across communities, workplaces and education, we can help more people build brighter futures.

Because when we invest in people’s skills, we invest in everyone’s future.Cheers to lifelong learning!