Written question WQ84923
- Asked by
- Andrew RT DaviesConservative
- To be answered by
- Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 8 days
Question
Will the Minister provide figures for illiteracy in Wales by local authority area?
Answer
Answered by Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
In my speech to the Adult Learning Conference last week I recognised that it has been over a decade since the last national audit of adult literacy skills in Wales and we need an up to date view of the situation. I have therefore asked my officials to commission a new ‘State of the Nation’ audit of adult literacy and numeracy to address this. Understanding the scale of the challenge will be key to creating a nation of second chances where it is never too late to learn. My officials will be examining options for how best to deliver on this commitment and measure adult literacy and numeracy levels in Wales.
In 2010, the National Survey of Adult Skills in Wales was carried out. The survey assessed the overall literacy and numeracy skills of adults (aged 16 to 65) in Wales (through English medium), and Welsh medium literacy skills of Welsh-speaking adults in Wales.
Analysis by local authority areas was not possible due to sample size restrictions. However, regional results are available. The survey report can be accessed at National Survey of Adult Skills in Wales: 2010 | GOV.WALES