The links between literacy, education and economic well-being are well established— getting an education can help lift you out of poverty. Between 1996 and 2002, B.C. had a number of programs that supported poor people in upgrading their education. When the Liberals came to power under Gordon Campbell in 2002, they gutted the program funding and changed the rules that allowed people to go to school while on welfare. A new report looks at the programs, the cuts and welfare rule changes, and examines the results for people living in poverty.