This was how the state of adult literacy and numeracy in Birmingham was described at a recent conference. Birmingham has a long tradition of adult basic education work. 1999 sees the celebration of 25 years of adult basic skills work in Birmingham. This area of work has been given a whole new boost by the recent government report "A fresh start: Improving literacy and numeracy for Adults" – the report of a working group chaired by Sir Claus Moser. This report sets out a plan for doing what no industrialised country has ever done ñ make a huge reduction in the 1 in 5 adults who don't have functional literacy and numeracy. The report proposes: National targets A national media campaign Better opportunities for learning A new curriculum (built along the lines of the National Literacy and Numeracy Framework for schools) A new simplified set of qualifications Whilst a lot is being done in schools, those adults with low basic skills won't be affected by this. Nor can the city, or the country, wait for the next generation of adults to come through the school system.		The "Fresh Start" Moser Report creates the framework for an attack on the unacceptable levels of adult basic skills. This will involve motivating people to seek out opportunities for raising their basic skills levels, as well as creating more opportunities via New Deal programmes for the unemployed; employee development programmes for those in work; work through voluntary sector agencies that target particular groups; work through health and housing agencies; work through trade unions etc. We are represented on the Promotions Group that is looking at the options for a national motivational campaign and we have had input into an ESOL group that is linked to implementing the Moser Report proposals. The Partnership has also been approached to work with the Basic Skills Agency on specifying a template for developments in Birmingham as part of a whole city drive on adult basic skills.