The four Open College Networks in London assessed the climate in inner London for adult students who wished to return to education and training. The research focussed on: the extent to which recent legislative changes threatened adult participation in education and training; the abolition of the Inner London Education Authority (ILEA) and consequent handing over of responsibility for education to 13 inner London boroughs; and growth of the government's Employment Training Programme and its impact on adult education and training. A survey of 406 adult tutors was conducted (116 responded), and each of the 13 new local educational authorities (LEAs) supplied information regarding policies on fees and discretionary awards. Survey results included the following: (1) various threats to financial support for adult education were identified; (2) respondents were concerned about the effects of ILEA's abolition on recruitment and future providion for adults; (3) new LEAs had established mechanisms to ensure continuity, but uncertainties generated by the change were damaging; (4) the provision under the 21-Hour Rule whereby unemployed people are allowed to study part time had become increasingly restrictive; (5) Employment Training was a poor substitute in terms of quality of training and lack of progression routes; and (6) it was difficult to establish criteria for distributing access funds. Recommendations are made for changes to maximize adults' access to education and training. (Survey results and the instrument are appended.) (YLB)