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Background: UK-wide BBC series On the Move, first major awareness-raising
and referral scheme for adult basic skills, began in 1975. Most programmes
delivered by volunteers, with support of paid coordinators. By 1978, 75,000
volunteers had been trained and many worked on a one-to-one basis in the
home. 1980s saw shift away from one-to-one teaching in favour of teaching
in groups and engaging whole communities. By early 1990s, basic skills provision
split between local authority adult and community education departments
and further education colleges.
1993 England Family literacy demonstration programmes, based on
a US model, begun by Adult Literacy and Basic Skills Unit (now Basic Skills
Agency).
1997 England Basic Skills Agency published It Doesn't Get Any
Better, on impact of poor basic skills on the lives of 37-year-olds.
1998 England and Wales Government asked Lord Moser to report on
how to tackle poor adult basic skills.
Scotland Lifelong learning paper issued.
1999 England and Wales A Fresh Start (the Moser Report) stated
that 7 million adults (24%) have literacy and numeracy difficulties and
made a number of recommendations on how Government should address them.
2000 England Department for Education and Skills established Adult
Basic Skills Strategy Unit to implement Moser's recommendations.
Scotland Adult literacy task force launched.
2001 England Government launched Skills for Life, national strategy
for improving adult literacy and numeracy skills. It aimed to improve
the basic skills of 750,000 adults by 2004. Get On 'gremlins' campaign
launched in August, featuring TV, radio and press advertising.
Wales National Basic Skills Strategy (as part of The Learning Country)
asked Basic Skills Agency to develop a curriculum for adults.
Scotland Adult literacy drive launched, estimating 23% of adult population
have low basic skills.
2002 Wales Adult strand of The Learning Country included increasing
family literacy provision.
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