Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Lord Watson of Invergowrie (Labour). It was answered on Tuesday, 24 February 2026.

Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper

Question: I thank my noble friend for that response. I know she is aware that tomorrow marks the 60th anniversary of the launch by the then Arts Minister, Jennie Lee, later Baroness Lee of Asheridge, of the White Paper which led to the establishment of the Open University. That institution stands today as one of the finest legacies of any Labour Government. The 1966 White Paper emphasised that student enrolment should be open to everyone. This was referenced in the post-16 White Paper comment that there should be “no place or person” excluded from further education. Does my noble friend agree that more flexible pathways into and through higher education are necessary, as well as improved adult skills, that these are critical for economic growth, and that the Open University has a major role to play in this?

Answer: I strongly agree with my noble friend’s comments. I recognise the enormous contribution that a previous Labour Government made through Jennie Lee with the establishment of the Open University—and the contribution that the Open University has made in the last 60 years to enable people to learn in a way that suits them throughout their lives. It has transformed many people’s lives. As my noble friend says, we need to learn from that, not just in terms of our higher education but in how we can use the lifelong learning entitlement to enable people to learn throughout their lives—in further education and through independent learning providers and HE, supported by student finance. In the modern world, with a changing workplace, it is crucial that we enable that to happen and it is right that people have those opportunities.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 853 c473
Session: 2024-26
Oral question type: 1st Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Lords chamber
Subjects: Adult education Further education Lifelong education White papers Reform Training
Legislation: Skills and Post-16 Education Bill (HL) 2021-22
Link: View this Oral question on hansard.parliament.uk