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Written question asked by Helen Maguire (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 1 September 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 3 September 2026. It was answered by Lilian Greenwood (Labour) on Wednesday, 9 September 2026 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Lipreading: Finance

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment his department has made on a) funding access to lipreading classes and b) classifying them as health and wellbeing courses rather than leisure activities to recognise their importance.

Answer

The Adult Skills Fund (ASF) fully funds or co-funds education and skills training for eligible adults aged 19 and above from pre-entry level to Level 3, helping them gain the skills they need for work, an apprenticeship or further learning.

In addition to qualification-based provision, the ASF can fund Tailored Learning, which is flexible, non-qualification provision developed to meet the needs of learners and communities. Lipreading is an eligible Tailored Learning aim and may be delivered through ASF-funded provision, including where it supports objectives such as health and wellbeing, social inclusion, confidence building or progression into further learning.

The Department recognises the value of lipreading provision in supporting people with hearing loss to communicate effectively, maintain independence and participate in everyday life. The Department has not made a separate assessment of the merits of classifying lipreading courses as health and wellbeing courses rather than leisure activities. However, under existing ASF arrangements, lipreading provision can already be funded as Tailored Learning, including where it is intended to improve an individual's health and wellbeing.

As of August 2026, approximately 76% of the ASF is devolved to 20 Strategic Authorities, which are responsible for determining how adult skills funding is used locally beyond national statutory entitlements, including decisions on whether to fund lipreading provision. In non-devolved areas, the Department funds ASF provision directly and providers have flexibility to determine their local offer in line with learner and community needs.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
26416
Session
2026-27
Subjects
Finance Lipreading
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk