As ever, The TES has been generous in its coverage of Adult Learners’ Week, but I’d welcome the chance to amplify on the findings of Are We Closing the Gap?, the study by the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (Niace) of minority ethnic participation in adult learning.

The key finding is that Bangladeshi and Pakistani adults miss out on learning opportunities, and that Bangladeshi and Pakistani women miss out most.

While I welcome the increase in spending on English for speakers of other languages over the past few years, much more needs to be done, including the offer of more provision in community settings.

Far from wanting to blame the victims of under-representation, Niace believes that there is a need for more responsiveness, from government and providers alike, if we are to avoid the remorseless replication of poverty in Britain’s poorest communities.

Alan Tuckett, Director, National Institute of Adult Continuing Education.