Value of lifelong learning debated in the Lords

Debate 

Lord Knight of Weymouth (Labour), professor at the Institute for Education, University of London, put forward the debate.  

This was a general debate. During debates, members put their experience to good use to discuss current issues and draw the government's attention to concerns.      

Members speaking  

Contributing members included:

• Baroness Barran (Conservative), former Minster for the School System and Student Finance at the Department for Education
• Lord Bichard (Crossbench), chancellor of the University of Gloucestershire and trustee of the Harris Foundation for Lifelong Learning
• Baroness Morgan of Cotes (Non-affiliated), director of the East Midlands Institute of Technology and former Secretary of State for Education
• Lord Storey (Liberal Democrats), former primary school headteacher and chair of Burton Manor Adult Education College.

Opening the debate, Lord Knight of Weymouth said:

'Part of necessary higher education reform has to include new financial models based on lifelong learning that allow us to escape the burden of debt that is putting people off going to our great universities.'

Lord Storey added:

'We are faced with a skills shortage across the country. The nation needs teachers, nurses, construction workers and many more. Lifelong learning may provide an opportunity to fill those gaps, to give those out of work, or those looking for a shift in a career, an opportunity to excel in a new environment.'

Baroness Smith of Malvern (Labour), Minister for Skills in the Department for Education, responded on behalf of the government:

'Over a third of job vacancies are due to skills shortages and 5.7% of the workforce has a skills gap.

'7% of UK jobs face a high probability of automation by 2030, rising to a staggering 18% by 2035, so economic change is necessitating an ever-increasing need for lifelong learning.'

Catch up

Watch and read the debate   

Watch on Parliament TV or read the Lords Hansard transcript. 

Explore background information   

• Find out more about the issues the debate covers in the House of Lords Library briefing.
• Learn more about how the House of Lords checks and challenges government. 

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