Numeracy for Life Committee

The committee scrutinised how numeracy and broader financial capability relate to debt vulnerability, the accessibility and trustworthiness of financial information, and how debt-advice services operate across sectors. Witnesses argued numeracy is a building block of financial capability but stressed it sits within wider factors such as income, living costs, and attitudes to money. They highlighted barriers to help (fear of creditors, misinformation, fragmented information landscapes), endorsed better signposting, plain-language communications, and trusted intermediaries. Proposals included a national adult financial education programme, cross-government focus on financial resilience, improved signposting through the Money Adviser Network, and tighter regulation of online debt-advice advertising. The discussion also covered practical changes (benefit payment frequencies, pension-decumulation support, and the pensions dashboard) and calls for more coordinated collaboration across organisations to connect people to appropriate help at the right time.

The Numeracy for Life session scrutinised how low numeracy constrains productivity, financial capability, and workforce progression across private-sector employers (Severn Trent and Santander UK) and the Army. Witnesses outlined the scale of the issue, evidence of confidence–application gaps in financial literacy, and the real-world impact on wages, bills, and decision-making. They highlighted practical, scaleable responses: internal, blended training (face-to-face, digital, and on-site), just-in-time and context-based learning, and large-scale platforms (Santander Open Academy and Dojo) to reach millions. They also flagged barriers to engagement (confidence, stigma, complexity of existing material) and stressed the need for government coordination, place-based strategies, and coordinated delivery through Skills England/Skills for Life-type initiatives to embed numeracy within sector-based training and apprenticeship pathways. A notable defence sector emphasis described phased, contextual numeracy support (Phase Zero) and bespoke progressions, while acknowledging resource and time constraints. The session included a concrete commitment from Santander that it will publish a new financial-education curriculum later in 2026, and the Army showcased tangible training pipelines (Phase Zero, blended learning, sensory tech) and measurable outcomes (pass rates, long-term social/economic returns). Overall, the evidence points to a demand for integrated, real-world numeracy solutions that join education, training, and employment, with a call for national prioritisation and place-based delivery to raise UK productivity and financial capability.

The session scrutinised adult numeracy provision in the UK, focusing on the Multiply programme, tailored learning, and funding. Witnesses highlighted a long-term underfunding of adult numeracy, the positive lessons from Multiply (flexible delivery, wraparound support, and partnership working), and the need for a renewed national initiative (a “maths for life” programme) to replace Multiply. They also stressed barriers to participation (childcare, transport, maths anxiety, language, and employer engagement) and urged government to increase and stabilise funding, improve data, and hold devolved authorities to account for numeracy outcomes.

The session scrutinised progress and gaps in England’s numeracy and maths education from primary to FE, the role of mastery teaching, and the integration of real-world mathematics into learning. Witnesses highlighted strong upward trends (mastery pedagogy adoption, improved PISA standing, and higher GCSE attainment by age 19) while acknowledging remaining gaps in adult numeracy, FE progression, and disadvantaged groups. Policy signals included support for continuing core maths provision, expanding early-years numeracy programmes (Mastering Number), and investing in teachers and professional development to sustain momentum. There were calls for a two-year continuation of the core maths funding premium and for better sequencing of maths across curricula to strengthen reasoning and problem-solving skills for all learners.

The Numeracy for Life Committee examined why numeracy remains a challenge across the lifespan in the UK, drawing on evidence from Professor Hannah Fry (academic expert in public understanding of maths) and Bobby Seagull (maths teacher and National Numeracy ambassador). Key themes: widespread low numeracy and cultural attitudes that associate maths ability with overall intelligence; the emotional impact of maths stigma (“maths trauma”); gaps between school maths focus (often on advanced topics) and practical numeracy needed in daily life; early-years interventions and parental engagement as pivotal; the role of gamification and edtech alongside concerns it is not a cure-all; the potential of cross-curricular embedding and enrichment bolstering motivation; the importance of adult numeracy provision and employer involvement; data literacy and the difficulty of communicating large numbers in society; and AI-enabled personalised tutoring as a future tool. While Multiply (a past government program) is cited as a precedent, there was no explicit government commitment articulated during this session. Witnesses recommended actionable steps such as separating numeracy from advanced maths, embedding maths across curricula, expanding targeted adult education and workplace learning, and pursuing a national awareness/engagement effort (e.g., a national year of numeracy) to shift culture and improve life chances.