The Moser Report identified that an estimated 7 million adults in the UK have poor literacy and numeracy skills.
One of the ways in which the Government responded to this finding was to set up the Adult Basic Skills Strategy Unit (ABSSU).
The Standards for Adult Literacy and Adult Numeracy were written as a part of the strategy.
The Edexcel Adult Literacy and Adult Numeracy qualifications assess these Standards.

The draft specifications are available on the Edexcel website in the Guidance and Standards document. The Adult Literacy Standards and the Core Curriculum are available from the DfES Read Write Plus publications on (0845) 602 2260 and on the website www.gov.uk/read/writeplus

The Adult Literacy and Adult Numeracy qualifications are based on the national
standards for literacy and numeracy. They are available at Entry 1,2,3 and Levels
1 and 2.

At each level, Adult Literacy is divided into 3 units:

• Speaking and listening
• Reading
• Writing

At each level, Adult Numeracy is divided into 3 units:

• Number
• Measures Space and Shape
• Handling Data