North dominates areas needing most support with adults’ numeracy skills
A report by National Numeracy found a sharp north-south divide in adults’ maths skills, with far more people in northern England living in areas judged to need substantial support. The findings have prompted calls for government action, as poor numeracy can limit people’s ability to manage everyday finances and work, and is estimated to cost the UK economy £25 billion a year.
The charity assessed 379 local authority districts across Great Britain. More than 10.6 million adults in the North, or 88 per cent, live in areas in the greatest-need category, compared with almost four million people, or 17 per cent, in the South. Hull ranked worst among English cities, followed by Nottingham and Stoke-on-Trent, while around half of working-age adults are estimated to have the numeracy skills of an 11-year-old.
In short
- Numeracy support needs are concentrated in northern England.
- Hull ranked lowest among English cities.
- Poor maths skills are estimated to cost £25 billion yearly.
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The case for
The regional gap in adult numeracy points to a need for targeted government support, especially in northern communities where the report finds the greatest need. Better access to practical maths education could help people manage finances and improve their work opportunities, while reducing a problem estimated to cost the economy £25 billion a year.
The case against
Targeting resources by region may overlook people with poor numeracy in areas ranked as lower need, or treat diverse communities as if they had the same needs. A careful response could focus on identifying and supporting individuals wherever they live, while weighing the costs and effectiveness of new programmes against other demands on public funds.
Explained simply
Numeracy means being able to use maths in everyday situations, such as working out bills, comparing prices or handling figures at work. National Numeracy is a charity that studies adults’ confidence and ability with numbers, and has assessed local areas across Great Britain.
Differences between areas can reflect access to education, training and support, as well as wider social and economic conditions. Low numeracy can make everyday financial decisions and some kinds of work harder, and the charity estimates that it costs the UK economy £25 billion a year.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “The great divide: Northerners are worse than southerners at MATHS – so where does your area rank?”.