About the Strategy

On April 22nd 2005 the Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning Jane Davidson announced that £40 million will be made available over the next three years to support activities outlined in Words Talk - Numbers Count the second phase of the all-age National Basic Skills strategy for Wales.

Following this the Basic Skills Agency will agree with the Assembly Government a plan of action for the next three years. Details have yet to be agreed but the Strategy will build upon initiatives shown to be successful in the first phase. The Strategy will continue to operate across the full age ranges and in all sectors. Details of the Delivery Plan for 2005-2006 will be posted as soon as they are agreed.

The Basic Skills Agency was responsible for overseeing the National Strategy for Basic Skills in Wales since 2001. Although huge progress has been made in recent years, we continue to have a significant problem with basic skills in Wales. This document sets out the measures we introduced between 2001 and 2005 in support of the actions to tackle the basic skills deficit in Wales.