The author would like to think that, in twenty-first century Britain, the case for adult learning was firmly established and no-one was in any doubt of its value. Having spent nearly 20 years before he became an MP working as a part-time lecturer and tutor with the Open University, and seeing the transformation that it could bring to his students, the author is certainly not in any doubt. The power of adult learning is recognised by politicians of all parties. But, as the government's ill-conceived plans to introduce further education (FE) loans demonstrate, Britain is still some way from getting the balance right between individual, state and employer funding. In terms of promoting adult learning, FE colleges remain a crucial, central hub for vocational provision. But, at a time when colleges are already having to absorb a 25 per cent funding cut, what is the impact likely to be on their robustness and financial viability if adult learner numbers start to fall off a cliff in the wake of an FE loans system ending fee remission? At the very least, one might see the number and variety of courses sharply cut, with knock-on cuts in the number of college staff.