With thanks to Lewisham College Scale of need and impact

With thanks to Lewisham College Causes of the problem Poor past basic education Poor past basic education No standardisation of provision of education No standardisation of provision of education Lack of motivation and recognition of problem Lack of motivation and recognition of problem Lack of/poor advertising of basic skills courses Lack of/poor advertising of basic skills courses

With thanks to Lewisham College The scale of need 6% of working population have very low literacy skills (below entry level) 6% of working population have very low literacy skills (below entry level) 13% have low literacy skills (below level one) 13% have low literacy skills (below level one) About half a million people have little command of English language About half a million people have little command of English language Variations by nationality (particularly low scores for Punjabi and Bengali speakers) Variations by nationality (particularly low scores for Punjabi and Bengali speakers)

With thanks to Lewisham College Impact of poor Basic Skills on individuals Everyday life more automated- reading important for these activities Everyday life more automated- reading important for these activities Easier to get by with low numeracy skills than literacy skills Easier to get by with low numeracy skills than literacy skills Basic Skills levels affect earning potential Basic Skills levels affect earning potential Greater difference in earnings if have low numeracy levels Greater difference in earnings if have low numeracy levels

With thanks to Lewisham College Impact on the economy People with low literacy skills may be unemployed and less chance of promotion People with low literacy skills may be unemployed and less chance of promotion Almost every job requires Basic Skills competence Almost every job requires Basic Skills competence Need Basic Skills to do job accurately and safely Need Basic Skills to do job accurately and safely People with low Basic Skills cannot cope with changing roles of jobs People with low Basic Skills cannot cope with changing roles of jobs Poor Basic Skills cost British economy £4.8 billion a year Poor Basic Skills cost British economy £4.8 billion a year