A National Strategy for Adult Basic Skills has been proposed to deal with the English situation in which about one adult in five is not functionally literate and far more people have problems with numeracy. The National Strategy has these 10 main elements: national targets; an entitlement to learn; guidance, assessment, and publicity; better opportunities for learning; quality; a new curriculum; a new system of qualifications; teacher training and improved inspection; the benefits of new technology; and planning of delivery. Twenty-one recommendations are a national basic skills strategy for adults; national targets; a national campaign; entitlement; programs for the unemployed; workplace programs; trade unions; the University for Industry; community-based programs; basic skills support in colleges; family-based programs; quality assurance; inspection; teacher training; use of information and communication technology; core curriculum and qualifications; local partnerships; national coordination; role of the Basic Skills Agency; funding; and research. (The report includes 14 chapters; a list of working group members; a summary of recommendations; definitions of poor literacy and poor numeracy; a list of participants who submitted evidence or were consulted; 38 references; and the implementation plan for A Fresh Start.) (YLB)