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Literacy, numeracy and ICT skills

Every day, we all need to read, write and use numbers. Whether it's reading the newspaper or the instructions on a medicine bottle, using a bus or train timetable, or counting out small change to buy something, not being able to understand written words or numbers can cause stress and worry.

Over 5 million people of working age in the UK have no qualifications at all. One in six adults do not have the literacy skills expected of an 11 year old and almost half do not have these levels of functional numeracy.

The case for addressing these skills needs in literacy, numeracy and information and communication technology (ICT) is compelling. The current cost is significant:

• for individuals – in terms of their quality of life and opportunities for employment
• for organisations – in terms of the less than satisfactory performance of their staff and the lower potential for redeployment or advancement in the organisation.

The Leitch Review of Skills (December 2006) set targets for 95% of adults to achieve functional literacy and numeracy by 2020 – up from 85% literacy and 80% numeracy at time of publication.

As a Sector Skills Council, Government Skills has an important role in working with employers to tackle these skills issues. We provide advice and guidance both on this website and through our national managers, working in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

• Action in England
• Action in Wales
• Action in Northern Ireland
• Action in Scotland