Report of a recent speech by George Mudie, Minister for Lifelong Learning at a conference in Wolverhampton, looking at the continued value of learning as people get older.

'Does anyone seriously believe that learning is not for life?'

Speaking to an audience of older learners, providers and LEA staff, as part of the Government's Better Government for Older People initiative, the Minister clearly showed how committed he was to spreading the confidence- and competence-building powers of education to all, and particularly to those people who 'have had the wrong end of the stick all their lives, and, as a result, had lives with limited opportunities, and been alienated and traumatised by the experience.
'Learning can be a valuable tool in redirecting these and indeed all individuals, including those in later life.'

Full report at