We need a Government that is on the side of young people

David Willetts has described new Government figures showing that more than one in ten 16-18 year olds in England are not engaged in any positive activity as "more evidence that young people are bearing the brunt of the recession".

The Shadow Universities and Skills Secretary said the news that the proportion of young people not in education, employment or training is still rising shows the need for a Government that is "on the side of young people" and added:

"This problem has been getting worse for more than ten years, long before the recession began. Now that times are harder, the problems are becoming more acute."

David also said that the recent break-up of the Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills - which was set up to help school leavers into work, university and further education - has "added insult to injury."

(DIUS) UK astronaut selected by European Space Agency

Major Tim Peake has become the first Briton to be selected by the European Space Agency (ESA) to take part in manned space flight. He becomes the first British astronaut since Helen Sharman in 1991.

Welcoming the news, Science Minister Lord Drayson said:

"I'm thrilled about Major Tim Peake's success in this toughest of all job applications. Becoming an astronaut is the pinnacle of achievement for anyone involved in space science and technology.

"Major Peake's appointment will be an inspiration and he will be a fantastic ambassador for the UK space industry and science in general.

"I have always known Britain has the right stuff. This proves it."

His appointment follows a gruelling selection process over the past 12 months. Major Peake is one of six new astronauts chosen by ESA from more than 8,000 initial applicants from across Europe.

ESA began its search for new astronauts in May 2008. 822 were from the UK and the selection process is designed to identify the best of the best.

In order to succeed Major Peake has had to undergo intensive medical and psychological evaluations to verify his health, personality and behaviour under pressure. Peake has also been tested on his aptitude to perform the duties of an astronaut. Finally, he had to impress an interview panel and ultimately the Director General of ESA, Jean-Jacques Dordain.

Major Tim Peake's appointment is a ESA staff post, fully funded by ESA. All the new astronauts will commence training with ESA in September 2009, based out of the Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany.

The UK space industry contributes nearly £6 billion to the UK economy and supports 19,000 jobs. The British National Space Centre (BNSC) is delighted with today's appointment. It is currently undertaking a review of space exploration including human space flight and will report to Ministers.

Air Vice-Marshal Anderson, the MOD's Senior Responsible Owner for Space Matters said,

'The MOD offers warmest congratulations to Major Peake on his selection. It is a fantastic achievement of which he should be extremely proud. His selection shows the high calibre of our Service personnel and their ability to compete in this expanding and challenging area'.

(DIUS) Record number of adults gain vocational qualifications

A record number of adults gained vocational qualifications in the past academic year, according to National Statistics published today. The qualifications cover a range of skills and training giving people what they need to get work and get on at work, improving their chances of being employed.

320,600 adults achieved a full level 2 qualification (equivalent to five good GCSEs) in 2007/08. This is an increase of 36.5 per cent from 2006/07.

Other key findings include:

* 346,200 adults started a qualification through the Government's Train to Gain service in 2007/08, an increase of 67.8 per cent from 2006/07;

* 386,200 adults started a qualification through Train to Gain in the first six months of the 2008/09 academic year, an increase from 253,600 adults starting in the same period in 2007/08; and

* 187,300 adults achieved a qualification through Train to Gain in 2007/08, over double the number of achievements in 2006/07.

Train to Gain is the Government's flagship service to help employers to improve the skills of their employees and the productivity of their business. But the benefits of Train to Gain are not just economic. Findings from further research published today shows that gaining a qualification improves many people's self-confidence and motivation at work, as well as giving them skills that will appeal to employers.

Skills Minister Lord Young said:

"It is great news that the number of adult learners getting vocational qualifications is at its highest ever and that Train to Gain is proving increasingly popular with employers and learners. Behind these figures are real people with brighter futures, better skills, improved self-confidence and, for a significant number, a pay rise or promotion.

"We need to make sure that we continue to help people access the skills and training they need to get into and get on at work, especially in tougher times. That is why the Government is giving real help now to individuals, employers and businesses so they can emerge stronger from the downturn."

Over recent months, the Government has responded to employers' needs and has made Train to Gain more flexible and responsive, which has helped to drive the increased demand. Small and Medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will be top priority for Train to Gain funds, including the £350m growth, over the next two years to help them get through the tougher economic climate by building the skills and expertise of their workers.

From January 2009, DIUS relaxed the rules so that SMEs can get funding for short courses in business-critical areas, and more funding for qualifications even when employees already have a qualification at that level. DIUS has also made funding deals with particular industries to meet their different skills and training needs.

National Statistics published today suggest that employers are keen to take advantage of the real help on offer from Government to prepare for the upturn when it comes. We want more employers and employees to benefit from training as we know that businesses who don't train are more likely to fail than those who do.

The figures come after the Government's record investment in further education and skills, which now stands at over £4.5 billion for 2009-10. The funding is targeted at giving people the skills and training they need to get into and on at work and improve their life chances. The Government will continue to grow, expand and improve Train to Gain and will invest over £1bn per year through the service by 2010-11. This will support one million learners.

New research published today by the Learning and Skills Council shows that both employers and employees continue to be highly satisfied with Train to Gain.

An evaluation of employers found that:

* 92 per cent of employers who have accessed Train to Gain have been satisfied with the training, and the provider who delivered it;
* 68 per cent of employers stated that Train to Gain training has improved long-term competitiveness of their business; and
* 46 per cent of employers stated that Train to Gain has had a beneficial impact on their "bottom line".

An evaluation of learners found that learners felt there was real value in achieving a qualification. Respondents spoke with great pride about what they had gained and described how it gave them confidence, credibility and real gains in terms of their current job and future career:

* 89 per cent of new learners said their training gave them skills that would help with current and future jobs and employers;
* 45 per cent of new learners reported receiving a pay rise which they attributed to their training;
* 48 per cent of learners in a longitudinal group reported increased promotion prospects.

A Train to Gain learner who had studied for an NVQ Level 2 in Performing Manufacturing Operations spoke of what achieving a qualification meant to them:

"Reassurance that I am of value. And probably the ability to tell people 'I can do that' because although I have been doing, now there is something that says I can... I have never had a certificate to prove it."

The latest data in the SFR continues to show a significant increase in the numbers of learners achieving qualifications. However this growth is not evident in the Labour Force Survey which is used to measure progress against some of DIUS's PSA targets. We are therefore initiating an investigation into this issue with the ONS. The Labour Force Survey is a household survey and relies on people's self-assessment of qualifications they have gained.

(DIUS) Government launches learning revolution

* White Paper launched to inspire and increase opportunities for learning for pleasure

People who want to organise their own groups and classes will be supported by a new national campaign for learning, Government announced today. Public and private buildings all over the country will throw open their doors to learners in the evening and weekends, from pubs, shops, cafes and churches to workplaces, libraries and galleries. The buildings will be identified by the new "Learning Revolution" logo and at least 7,000 rooms will be available, with the number expected to grow.

The campaign is backed by organisations ranging from the Women's Institute, the Church of England and the National Trust to Microsoft and BUPA. They have all pledged to support this movement and where possible, to open their doors so that groups of adults engage in learning to expand their horizons.

The Government today publishes its White Paper, The Learning Revolution, which aims to bring to life a new 21st century vision to help adults learn for pleasure and personal and community development. The White Paper outlines what the whole of Government can do to support learning for pleasure, including funding innovative new ideas and projects, helping to broker access to learning, especially for disadvantaged groups and older people, and building a culture of learning across society.

Key elements include:

* A £20m transformation fund which will support the development of new adult learning partnerships and innovative ideas. This could mean helping local people breathe new life into empty shop premises by setting up artists' studios or theatre workshop spaces, or issuing learning vouchers to people who are unemployed;

* Working across Government departments and local authorities to get all kinds of new spaces opened up for self-organised learning activities. These shared spaces will include libraries, museums, arts galleries, faith spaces and local UK Online centres, as well as schools and colleges. Learners say not finding a low-cost, accessible place to learn can be a significant barrier to learning;

* Making it easier to find a space by setting up a competition to design a new web directory of learning spaces and places that are available at free or low cost, working with umbrella organisations like NAVCA (National Association of Voluntary and Community Action).

Skills Secretary John Denham said:

"Learning in all its many forms improves our quality of life, happiness and personal wellbeing. While improving people's skills is one of the most powerful things they can do to realise their career aspirations, we recognise the importance of learning for pleasure and the enormous contribution it makes to the well-being of individuals, neighbourhoods and wider society.

"Over the past few years, there has been a quiet learning revolution, but the Government wants to ignite this, raising the profile and take-up of learning wherever it happens, so that all adults and communities can benefit from high-quality, innovative learning that is accessible to all. This is ever more important during a downturn.

"The informal learning picture has always been bigger than just publicly funded learning delivered through traditional adult education classes in colleges. This form of learning will continue and does suit some people. But the world has changed considerably. We need to go beyond this narrow vision and make sure such learning is not left behind in the technology stakes. And we need better links between different kinds of learning - public, private, voluntary and self-organised - to create a rich mix of opportunities for people at local level."

The last few years have seen an explosion of online access to education resources, the establishment of book groups, huge growth in the University of the Third Age and the introduction of free access to museums. Many of these developments are supported in one way or another by Government. Free access to museums costs £28m a year, while Government funding for UK online centres in libraries and children's centres stands at £10m a year, as well as £21.5 million a year to fund union learning reps.

On top of this, DIUS has ring-fenced £210m to support adult learning and will continue to protect funding for specialist adult education colleges and institutions, such as City Lit.

And to support the growing importance of digital skills at home and in work, we have asked Baroness Estelle Morris to chair an independent review of ICT Skills for Adults.

A host of organisations, including five Government departments and several local authorities, will today show support for the campaign by signing the learning revolution pledge. By signing the pledge, these organisations will:

* Support the core principles of the learning revolution and encourage others to sign up;

* Advocate wider participation, especially by those who have benefited least from learning;

* Find flexible ways of using our existing spaces, or opening up new spaces, for learning;

* Encourage and support learning activities organised by people for themselves;

* Embrace new ways of learning, including the use of information technology and broadcasting;

* Find and work with new partners to increase adult learning opportunities; and
* Celebrate successes.

The Museums, Libraries and Archives Council, who signed the Learning Revolution pledge today, aim to help open up 3,000 spaces and will set up a new £100k challenge fund offering small grants to enable museums, libraries and archives to develop capacity and encourage innovation in supporting self-organised learning.

Culture Secretary Andy Burnham said:

"Learning shouldn't stop when you leave school or college. It should be a natural part of everyone's life, throughout their whole life. Public libraries are ideally placed to play a big part in promoting it and I challenge the 149 services across England to get behind the campaign, and display their 'Learning Revolution' logo with pride."

Communities Secretary Hazel Blears said:

"Informal learning often goes unnoticed and unrecognised when it deserves to be acknowledged, celebrated and supported.

"Whether through book groups in the local library, cookery lessons in the village hall, or language clubs in the cafe, informal learning creates a sense of community. It brings people together from different backgrounds. It lets them learn new skills and build social networks, both of which are doubly important in these difficult times. Above all, of course, it's fun!

"The White Paper includes a new challenge to, and new support for, local authorities to play their part. Together we can help make sure that informal learning isn't a privilege reserved for the few, but an opportunity enjoyed by many."