Education and Employment Secretary David Blunkett has announced a review of funding for adult learning in response to the final report of the National Skills Task Force which was released last week.

Derek Wanless, former group chief executive of Nat West Bank will lead the review, which is expected to release its results by October of this year.

Mr Blunkett said:

"It is critical that we develop a more integrated system of financing adult learning which reaches the people most in need. The task is to bridge the present diversity of funding arrangements for those undertaking learning as adults between further education and full-time higher education. There must be a coherent tripartite approach drawing together the commitment of the individual, the contribution of the employer and the responsibility of Government.

"The review will consider how learning accounts can be further developed and loans for adult learners made more widely available. I am very pleased that Derek Wanless has agreed to conduct this review, which will build on the excellent work his advisory group has already undertaken on adult financial literacy."