A quiet revolution is changing the way that adults engage in informal learning that does not lead to a qualification. Many still follow the classroom route with fixed time sessions, but a growing number use the internet and other means. The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills is building a vision of adult learning in the 21st century and is seeking views on how people see the need and the ways in which it might be met. 

People living in rural areas have fewer banks and cashpoints per head of the population compared to those living in urban areas and 1 in 5 of rural households live in poverty. The Commission for Rural Communities has launched a ‘Quids In’ campaign to create greater awareness of the financial services needs of rural people and to stimulate the development of imaginative community-based solutions in rural areas. 

This programme is now available to view on egovtv.tv, the online television channel for public service modernisation. It describes the role that information cards are playing in a cross-industry initiative to protect customer identities. Central and local government online service providers as well as providers in the commercial sector are taking part in the initiative.