ABSTRACT
Summary: This chapter considers recent developments in Britain in relation to different concepts of recurrent education. It is believed that most recent British developments relate to pragmatically derived extensions to existing structures best described as continuing education. These are outcomes of the British traditions of highly devolved and decentralized approaches to educational provision. A greatly increased awareness of the wider international thinking about recurrent education is traced over the last five years. It is argued that this, together with powerful social and economic trends, will produce shifts towards future systems of education in Britain based on the recurrent principle. Certain urgent priorities are considered and the question asked, To what extent can Britain's fragmented approach to educational provision provide the evolutionary impetus needed to produce the alternative strategy of recurrent education urgently demanded by changed national circumstances?'
