The Government says it wants to see a "revolution" in informal adult learning. It is calling on universities to take "a more strategic approach to the current and future needs of the economy". Yet, as it sets out its plans for both these objectives, higher education institutions across England are contemplating the closure of hundreds of public courses which link formal and informal learning opportunities and give adults the chance to retrain for a new career. The author reports on a Government policy, announced in September 2007, and introduced from 2008/09, which denies funding to students studying for a qualification at a level equivalent to or lower than one they have already been awarded, the so-called "equivalent or lower qualification"--or ELQ--rule. The rule, which will remove a total of 100 million British Pounds in public support from university budgets by 2010/11, means that any learner who possesses a first degree will have to pay full fees to study for another, equivalent, qualification in another subject area. The Government's decision to withdraw funding for students who already have a qualification of equal status has resulted in the closure of lifelong learning courses across England, with some universities shutting down their public programmes altogether. As the full extent of the damage becomes clear, the clamour for ministers to reverse the policy is growing ever more intense.