ADULT learners in Brixham are supporting a rallying cry for more Government money to be ploughed into gaining new skills.

Over the last two years, 1.5million adult education course places have been lost due to cuts and fee rises, says the Campaigning Alliance for Lifelong Learning.

Next week, CALL is lobbying Parliament on the day it is due to receive an Early Day Motion from leading educational MPs from all three major parties.

The MPs are calling for a budget that rises with inflation for the adult learning sector, and say that any under-spend should be redirected to the Train to Gain programme.

Their motion claims 'particularly at this time of recession, affordable access to the life-changing opportunities provided by education is the hallmark of a civilised society'.

Ministers have defended the budget cuts, saying they only affect classes like holiday Spanish and flower arranging, but CALL is concerned about the reduction in education opportunities for the unemployed and the need to provide affordable courses for all.

Jenny Harriman, head of Brixham's adult learning centre, supports CALL's fight.

She said: "With hundreds of courses in subjects from tango to working with children to chose from in Brixham, Paignton and Torquay, it's easy to be complacent, but the Learning and Skills Council grant is only guaranteed until 2010.

"I have worked in adult learning for more than 30 years. I know from first-hand experience how important it is to people."

Albert Lowe, a member of Brixham's advanced conversational French class, said adult learning is a great way to meet new people, make friends and maintain an active brain.

He added: "There is a very important social element in coming to a class and learning together. Adult learning should have a higher priority."

Brixham and South Hams MP Anthony Steen also lent his support to the campaign, saying: "Adult education is a crucial part of Britain's continuing development without which our ability to hold a competitive edge on the world stage will be threatened."

The alliance was launched last year by the National Institute for Adult and Continuing Education and various unions including UNISON, to raise awareness and campaign for the right of everyone to have access to learning.