The Survey of Adult Skills is a product of the Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) led by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). The Survey of Adult Skills aims to measure the skills needed by adults to participate in society and for economies to prosper. The 2023 survey assessed skills in literacy, numeracy and adaptive problem solving, and further information was collected through a background questionnaire. The latest Survey of Adult Skills was carried out in 31 countries during 2022 and 2023. In England, it was carried out on behalf of the Government by a consortium led by Verian in partnership with the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) and the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER). The survey was carried out with adults aged 16 to 65 in their homes. COVID-19 reduced response rates in England and other participating countries compared with the previous cycle of the survey, and response rates varied between 27% and 73%. In England, 4,941 adults participated in the survey between September 2022 and June 2023. The response rate was 38%. The 2023 Survey of Adult Skills offers crucial insights into how adult skills have changed over the last decade. England participated in the first cycle in 2012 which identified that the youngest adults in England performed less well than older adults (contrary to the international pattern) and performed poorly compared with their international peers. There has been considerable policy focus on raising standards in these key skills in school education, such as compulsory education to 18 and making mathematics and English a requirement of post-16 courses for those who did not attain National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 2 in English and Maths at 16. England's disappointing performance in the 2012 survey in adult numeracy as well as the gap between the lowest and highest performing adults in literacy and numeracy has also been reflected in adult skills policy. For example, recent reforms include the Lifetime Skills Guarantee, which provides funding for adults without an existing full Level 3 (A Level equivalent) qualification to study for free (Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street and Johnson, 2020). In addition, the 'It all starts with skills' campaign encourages adults to gain the skills and qualifications they need to progress including improving their 'essential skills' (in English, mathematics and digital skills) (Department for Education, 2023a).