All Party Parliamentary Group for Maths and Numeracy

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Over the past few years, the publication of data in various reports has revealed weaknesses in the maths skills base of the UK’s population. Roughly four in five adults have low levels of numeracy and recent findings showed young people are less mathematically able than their grandparents. If Britain is to succeed in the global race, this has to change. For too long, it has been socially acceptable for parents to tell their children not to worry about maths ‘because I was no good at it either’. Challenging this attitude is the very first step to raising aspiration, increasing self-confidence and helping everyone reach their full potential. That is why we want to drive a cultural revolution which will transform Britain’s perception of maths and raise the numerical ability of people of all ages. We are confident that working in collaboration with National Numeracy, the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) and parliamentarians from all parties, we are well placed to make a real difference to the face of maths and numeracy in the UK.

Caroline Dinenage MPCo-Chair APPG Maths and Numeracy

Foreword from the Co-Chairs of the APPG

Barry Sheerman MP Co-Chair APPG Maths and Numeracy

This is not an official publication of the House of Commons or the House of Lords. It has not been approved by either House or its Committees. All-Party Groups are informal groups of members of both Houses with a common interest in particular issues. The views expressed in this document are those of the Group. This document was funded by ICAEW.

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Why an APPG for Maths and Numeracy?

This APPG exists to raise awareness – in Parliament and beyond – of the vital role that maths and numeracy play in everyone’s life. It has been established at a time of growing concern about the impact that poor maths skills have on both individuals and the economy. The APPG aims to encourage fresh thinking about the issue and promote effective ways of improving levels of numeracy among children and adults across the UK.

Numeracy is the maths that most people use in everyday life. Being numerate means using mathematical skills and thinking mathematically to solve problems and make decisions in everyday life – as an employee, consumer, parent, student or as a citizen. Good numeracy is essential to an individual’s employment prospects and to their ability to make financial choices. Collectively it is essential to the success of the economy. And yet millions of adults in the UK do not have adequate levels of numeracy. Government figures show that nearly half the working-age population have the maths skills expected of children at primary school, while OECD surveys have shown the UK lagging behind many other industrialised countries. Too many young people are leaving school without the maths they need for life; the skills of the under-24s are likely to be no better than those of the over-55s – unlike the position in nearly every other country. For too long the importance of numeracy has been submerged in (justifiable) concerns about literacy. The APPG seeks to help right the balance, reform the too-common excuse of ‘I can’t do maths’ and instead encourage a ‘can do’ attitude that everyone can – with effort and support – improve their everyday maths skills.

Initially, the group will focus on two specific areas:

It will review the current evidence and hear from those with expertise in these areas, producing short reports with policy recommendations.

The work of the APPG

The APPG will work to keep maths and numeracy high on the political agenda. It will raise awareness of the issues among parliamentarians and encourage them to promote the importance of better maths skills in their constituencies or other spheres of influence.

1 Numeracy development in the early years (0–5 year olds)

2 Numeracy skills among young adults (16–24 year olds)

Numeracy is the maths that most people use in everyday life.

Millions of adults in the UK do not have adequate levels of numeracy.

It will do this through:

• Providing a parliamentary forum for debate and dialogue

• Disseminating evidence and information so that parliamentarians are well informed about the issues

• Providing a point of reference for any parliamentarian wishing to understand further aspects of the subject

• Promoting effective ways of improving both maths learning at school and numeracy among adults

22%26% 44% 57%

2003 2011 2003 2011

1/5

LiteracyNumeracy

Percentage of 16-64 year olds in England who have numeracy and literacy skills at or above Level 2, which is roughly equivalent to GCSE grade C.1,2 UK adults

(England and Northen Ireland) ranked 17th out of 24 countries

for numeracy.8

15-year-oldsin the UK ranked 26th out of 65 countries for numeracy.9

17th out of 24

26th out of 65

Poor adult numeracy is estimated to cost the UK economy4

£20 bn/year

Proportion of the UK who would feel embarrassed to admit to being bad at numeracy and literacy.3

68%48%

32% of students do not achieve A*–C grade at mathematics GCSE at the end of KS4 in England and Wales.6

80%+ of post-16 students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland do not study any maths.5

reduction in drop out rate from maths courses once the 'growth mindset' was adopted by students, helping them believe that their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work.7

Attitudes to maths matter

High numeracy is particularly correlated with a higher likelihood of; having higher wages, having good to excellent health and being employed.8

High Numeracy

Expected standard

Only one in five 16-64 year olds in England have numeracy skills at or above Level 2, which is roughly equivalent to GCSE grade C.1

50%

Key Facts and Figures

1. Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, Skills for Life Survey, 2003. 2. Ibid, 2011 3. YouGov Survey, http://yougov.co.uk/publicopinion/archive/9594/, February 2014. The sample size was 2,347 adults and war carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+)

22%26% 44% 57%

2003 2011 2003 2011

1/5

LiteracyNumeracy

Percentage of 16-64 year olds in England who have numeracy and literacy skills at or above Level 2, which is roughly equivalent to GCSE grade C.1,2 UK adults

(England and Northen Ireland) ranked 17th out of 24 countries

for numeracy.8

15-year-oldsin the UK ranked 26th out of 65 countries for numeracy.9

17th out of 24

26th out of 65

Poor adult numeracy is estimated to cost the UK economy4

£20 bn/year

Proportion of the UK who would feel embarrassed to admit to being bad at numeracy and literacy.3

68%48%

32% of students do not achieve A*–C grade at mathematics GCSE at the end of KS4 in England and Wales.6

80%+ of post-16 students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland do not study any maths.5

reduction in drop out rate from maths courses once the 'growth mindset' was adopted by students, helping them believe that their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work.7

Attitudes to maths matter

High numeracy is particularly correlated with a higher likelihood of; having higher wages, having good to excellent health and being employed.8

High Numeracy

Expected standard

Only one in five 16-64 year olds in England have numeracy skills at or above Level 2, which is roughly equivalent to GCSE grade C.1

50%

4. Pro Bono Economics, Cost of outcomes associated with low levels of adult numeracy in the UK, 2014 5. Josh Hillman, Mathematics after 16: the state of play, challenges and ways ahead, 2014. 6. Department for Education, GCSE and equivalent results in England, 2013 to 2013, 2014 7. Carol Dweck, How can we instill productive mindsets at scale? A review of the evidence and initial R&D agenda, 2013 8. The Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD), Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC), 2013. 9. OECD, Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), 2012.

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National Numeracy

Founded in 2012, National Numeracy is an independent charity that focuses on adults and children with low levels of numeracy. It aims to challenge negative attitudes, influence public policy and research, and identify and promote effective approaches to improving numeracy. Where possible, it works in partnership with others. In 2014 it launched the National Numeracy Challenge which aims to reduce the number of adults in the UK with low levels of numeracy by a million in the next five years. www.nationalnumeracy.org.uk

ICAEW

ICAEW is a world leading professional membership organisation that promotes, develops and supports over 142,000 chartered accountants worldwide. We provide qualifications and professional development, share our knowledge, insight and technical expertise, and protect the quality and integrity of the accountancy and finance profession.

Chartered accountancy firms are the biggest private sector graduate employers in the UK, so we want to attract the best talent into the profession. We know that excellence comes from a diverse range of backgrounds, which is why ICAEW has increased access routes by developing a Higher Apprenticeship programme with PwC, leading the UK Internship Code working group at BIS and running our annual business game, BASE (Business, Accounting and Skills Education) for students aged 16-19. Students develop key employability skills by applying the theory of maths and numeracy to a challenging business scenario. www.icaew.com

“At National Numeracy we believe everyone can reach a level of everyday maths that allows them to reach their full potential yet over 78% of adults have numeracy levels below the equivalent of a C at GCSE. This new All Party Parliamentary Group will help in raising the profile of the issue and, drawing on international evidence, will look to promote effective ways of improving everyday maths among children and adults across the UK.”

“Having the right maths and numeracy skills in place is an essential life skill – whether planning for university, buying a house or when starting a business. This All Party Parliamentary Group is a vital step in ensuring that people are equipped with the knowledge, confidence and ability to improve their maths and numeracy skills properly, now and in the future.”

Mike Ellicock, Chief Executive, National Numeracy

Michael Izza, CEO, ICAEW

Group’s secretariat

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Caroline Dinenage MP Chair Con

Barry Sheerman MP Co-Chair Lab/Co-op

Justin Tomlinson MP Vice-chair Con

Gordon Birtwistle MP Secretary Lib Dem

Lord Fink Treasurer Con

Rt Hon Baroness Armstrong of Hill Top Lab

Oliver Colvile MP Con

Baroness Grey-Thompson DBE CB

Viscount Hanworth Lab

Rebecca Harris MP Con

John Hemming MP Lib Dem

Rt Hon Lord Jenkin of Roding Con

Lord Kennedy of Southwark Lab/Co-op

Lord Lipsey Lab

Lord Lucas of Crudwell and Dingwall Con

Stephen McPartland MP Con

Sheryll Murray MP Con

Baroness O'Cathain OBE Con

Lord Oxburgh KBE CB

Lord Peston Lab

Yasmin Qureshi MP Lab

Lord Sharkey Lib Dem

Graham Stringer MP Lab

Rt Hon Stephen Timms MP Lab

Robin Walker MP Con

The politically neutral group promotes dialogue between Parliament, third parties and the education sector through policy forums (approximately four a year) in the Houses of Parliament. The group brings in contributors from all parties and sectors including voluntary, public and private. It is committed to transparency and reports to parliament as instructed.

Parliamentarian membership

The following parliamentarians are qualifying members of the APPG, but our membership continues to grow.

Mike Ellicock, Chief Executive, National Numeracy

@MathsAPPG info@appgmathsnumeracy.org.uk www.appgmathsnumeracy.org.uk