Despite the collapse of the ILA scheme, money continues to flow from the government's coffers into community learning.

The latest announcement last Friday (29 March) by Adult Skills Minister John Healey signals an £8 million boost for local learning initiatives designed to encourage adults into formal learning through popular leisure activities. Schemes receiving £2,000 to £60,000 in grants focus in the main on basic skills and include short courses in sport, healthy eating and stress management for young men from disadvantaged backgrounds being run in Newcastle, training in community radio for disabled people in Bradford and local business mentoring in Dorset to deliver basic and job-related skills.

The handout represents the sixth round of the Adult and Community Learning Fund and will be awarded over the next two years to around 200 organisations.

Mr Healey said: "All these projects will provide more learning opportunities for people within their own communities. The Adult and Community Learning Fund provides money for innovative, accessible local activities that encourage people to develop their skills and make a contribution to their community. Learning in this way can be fun and make a real difference to people’s lives."