WHAT THIRD AGE LEARNERS WILL BE ASKING THE POLITICIANS

Britain’s 743 U3As, and their 229,871 members are to be asked to quiz political candidates on their views about adult education, third age education and informal adult learning.

“The U3A is resolutely non-political, but it does want to see legislators who understand the benefits of adult education, and are willing to work for a better life for those in their third age” says U3A national chairman Ian Searle.

“We will never advise our members how to vote.  But the answers to these questions may inform their voting behaviour.”

Mr Searle will circulate the questions to all 743 U3As in the UK, suggesting that they should be put to candidates for the local authority elections in May and those who will be standing for Parliament in next year’s general election.

He will tell them that candidates should be asked:

Do you intend to continue with the policies outlined in The Learning Revolution, especially those requiring close co-operation between local authorities and voluntary organisations?

Will inter-departmental consultation be continued so that health, pensions and education continue to work together for the benefit of older citizens?

Do you recognise the financial benefits and savings as well as the health benefits that accrue from encouraging informal adult learning ?

Do you appreciate that the allocation of funds is heavily weighted towards the young, as pointed out in Learning Through Life, and that this is not only unfair, but socially divisive?

NOTE FOR EDITORS
The University of the Third Age was founded in 1982 to enable older people to organise their own learning.  It works on the self-help principle, and is run democratically by its members, with officers and a national executive elected at the annual general meeting.

FURTHER INFORMATION
Francis Beckett, 020 8349 9194 or 07813 001372.
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