Numeracy for Life Committee

Peers on this Lords Select Committee examine numeracy standards and financial capability across the UK population, from school-age children to adults in employment and retirement. The committee takes oral evidence from ministers, practitioners, education specialists, and sector representatives across multiple sessions each month. Recent inquiries have focused on the effectiveness of the government's Multiply programme and wider adult numeracy funding mechanisms, explored how numeracy gaps affect workplace productivity and military personnel readiness, and assessed current mathematics education approaches through its Maths Education Panel. The committee has also examined the relationship between poor numeracy and debt vulnerability, scrutinising how financial advisory services address mathematical deficiencies in their clients. Sessions with witnesses including Fry and Seagull explored specific dimensions of numeracy policy delivery. These investigations feed into recommendations on UK economic productivity and social welfare.