National Numeracy launches new strategy
The event, to launch charity National Numeracy’s new strategy, was hosted by The Rt Hon. The Lord Blunkett on behalf of National Numeracy and sponsored by global law firm DLA Piper. It brought together key figures from business, academia, local government and civil society to discuss the state of numeracy in the UK and its profound impact on social equality, mobility, and economic growth.
Numeracy offers the chance to get on in life
The Secretary of State said that good numeracy was “the key to how we will make sure that no matter someone’s background, they have the chance to get on in life.”
She talked about the importance of positive experiences and attitudes to numbers and maths right from the very earliest years, all the way through people’s lives.
Drawing on her own experience she said: “It wasn’t my favourite subject at school, but it has such power in our lives. The foundation that I had has allowed me to go on and achieve what I have been able to achieve and I want that for all children.”
UK's attitudes to numeracy holding us back
She went on to talk powerfully about how the UK’s attitudes to numeracy is holding us back as a nation. She said: “Maths has the power to divide us, it does split us down the middle as a county, the people who love maths and number and talk about how great it is, and those who say that it’s just not for them.
“We’ve got a really big cultural challenge that we need to shift, because for many maths isn’t the language of the universe, it’s about frustration, doubt, even fear – it’s something that holds them back in life and it’s stops them being everything that they can be.
“And that divide is wrong, it does hold back millions of people in our country. It’s time we put it right and made sure that maths and numeracy is for everyone – children and adults alike.
Numeracy breaks down barriers to opportunity
The Secretary of State went on to say how central numeracy is to the government’s core mission of ‘breaking down the barriers to opportunity at every stage’.
“This government is on a mission to break down the barriers to opportunity in this country and numeracy and maths is such a crucial part of that,” she said.
“For people in their day-to-day lives as they go about their business, at work, managing family finances, home repair, planning travel – all of the things you take for granted when you’ve got that foundation, but that can be so challenging for too many of our fellow citizens.
The Secretary of State went on to thank the charity and its partners: “I do want to thank National Numeracy for all that you do to break down those barriers for young people and for adults across our country. Whether that is through your work around numeracy champions, The Family Maths Toolkit and all of the thousands of people that you reach through your work.”
Closing the gender number confidence gap
And she added how important levelling up the gap in number confidence between men and women is to her.
She said: “As well as being the Secretary of State for Education, which is such a privilege, I also lead our work as Minister for Women and Equalities as well. And there is so much more we need to do on that front too, because let’s be honest, we know that it’s often women and girls who find this a particular challenge and lack confidence early on. We’ve got to do a lot more to tackle that to make sure that everyone in our country has the chance and the confidence to succeed.”
Lord Blunkett introduced the Secretary of State for Education, a post he held himself from 1997 - 2001. He talked about how crucial numeracy is for every part of life, such as financial inclusion. He said: “I want people to have the trajectory, the pathway, of learning what’s right for them, what’s absolutely crucial to their lives…people being able to handle data is absolutely crucial.”
Speaking alongside the Secretary of State and Lord Blunkett at the event were Sandra Wallace CBE, Deputy Managing Partner, DLA Piper, and a National Numeracy Trustee, as well National Numeracy CEO Sam Sims.
Sandra Wallace said: “Numeracy can help open-up opportunities throughout our lives. That’s why, along with colleagues at DLA Piper, I am passionate about making sure everyone has the numeracy skills and number confidence they need to get on in life. As a trustee of the charity, I am proud that National Numeracy is shining a light on and leading action to address this crucial issue.”
Sam Sims talked about the charity’s new strategy, running from 2025 – 2028, outlining the Three Big Changes that the charity wants to see: numeracy for equality, numeracy for success and numeracy for community. He said: “Supporting people who struggle, to fulfil their potential – to be able to realise opportunities throughout their lives - benefits not just those individuals and our communities, but every single one of us.
“What we’ve learnt is that tackling these entrenched inequalities and raising numeracy levels for good, will require a ‘cradle to career’ approach that improves our relationship with numbers and maths as a nation.”
Helping where the need is greatest
National Numeracy’s new strategy outlines how the charity is responding to the UK’s numeracy crisis, with a mission to ‘empower people to thrive by using numeracy to open up opportunities and access brighter futures, targeting communities where the need is greatest.’
The charity intends to work with partners and communities to tackle the numeracy crisis holding individuals and society back. Around half of working-age people have the numeracy skills of a primary school child. Poor numeracy costs the UK economy up to £25 billion a year.
Not getting on with numbers blights lives and livelihoods, contributing to pervasive problems from unemployment to poor health and debt. Low numeracy can be a lifelong barrier to social mobility. The strongest predictor of a person’s numeracy skills in the UK is their socio-economic background.
Improving skills, confidence and attitudes to numbers and maths makes a real difference to people’s lives by opening up educational, employment and financial opportunities that lead to brighter futures. National Numeracy is the UK’s only charity dedicated to everyday maths.
National Numeracy aims to boost social mobility and inclusion through numeracy in communities where the need is greatest. It’s work since 2012 has shown that improving numeracy can drive opportunities for everyone to progress, and be the best that they can be, without being hampered by socio-economic disadvantage.
And, with a pronounced gap in number confidence between men and women, and anxiety about numbers passing on from one generation to the next, the new strategy aims to stop this pernicious cycle.
The Parliamentary Reception served as a vital call to action for policymakers, business and civil society to come together and work towards closing the nation’s numeracy gap.
For media queries, please contact:
Julia Day, Director of External Relations, National Numeracy
Notes to Editors:
About National Numeracy: National Numeracy is a charity dedicated to helping people feel confident with numbers and using everyday maths. Our mission is to empower children and adults in the UK to get on with numbers so they can fulfil their potential at work, home and school. Our work improves how people understand and work with numbers in everyday life, sparking better opportunities and brighter futures.
About DLA Piper:
DLA Piper is a global law firm helping our clients achieve their goals wherever they do business. Our pursuit of innovation has transformed our delivery of legal services. With offices in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific, we deliver exceptional outcomes on cross-border projects, critical transactions and high-stakes disputes.
Every day we help trailblazing organizations seize business opportunities and successfully manage growth and change at speed. Through our pro bono work and community investment around the world, we help create a more just and sustainable future. Visit dlapiper.com to discover more.
