Speaking at an event on Tuesday 19 February, Jeremy Corbyn MP, Leader of the Labour Party announced a commission on lifelong learning to develop Labour’s policy of free education from cradle to grave

The Commission will bring together 14 experts from across education, top names in their fields, including the EEF’s Chief Economist Seamus Nevin. It is co-chaired by the former Education Secretary, Estelle Morris and the General Secretary of the Communication Workers’ Union, Dave Ward.

Its task is to devise an inclusive system of adult education to be implemented by the next Labour government that will transform the lives of millions. Lifelong learning will be available to everyone no matter their age, background, employment status, or previous education.

The Commission will make detailed proposals on how to integrate qualifications, introduce a credits system to make qualifications transferable and make it as easy as possible for people to pick up or pause their studies at times that work for them.

 

Announcing Labour’s Lifelong Learning Commission, Jeremy Corbyn MP said:

“I am proud to announce the appointment of our Commission on Lifelong Learning to help make the principle of lifelong learning a reality.”

“There is no rationale for people only being educated for the first quarter of their lives and then expected to work for the rest of their days with outdated or insufficient qualifications. It’s a waste of talent and a waste of potential. Let’s give people the skills to flourish.”

 

Policy Development

This year, through Labour's policy making process, the National Policy Forum (NPF), we'll be looking at how we further develop the policies set out in our manifesto, including the National Education Service.  We have chosen eight key areas to examine and we want to hear your thoughts.

A great legacy of the next Labour government will be the creation of a National Education Service that makes education freely available to everyone, whatever their age, from cradle to grave, which just like the NHS is there for all of us. You can help us shape this legacy by having your say on the National Education Service.

We'll be providing further details in the coming weeks, including publishing consultation documents and letting members and local parties know more about the different ways to play a part.

In the meantime if you want to let us know your thoughts — either on the eight topics or lifelong learning specifically — or are interested in finding out more about how the Party makes policy, you can do so on our online submissions page.

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