North Swindon MP, Justin Tomlinson joined television personality, Johnny Ball, and Michael Steer, the maths teacher from Educating Yorkshire (Channel 4), to celebrate World Maths Day by launching a new All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Maths and Numeracy in Westminster.
Government figures show that nearly half of the working-age population have only the numeracy skills expected of children at primary school, while recent OECD skills surveys have revealed the UK lagging significantly behind most other industrialised countries. The aim of the APPG is to raise awareness about the importance of basic maths skills and to inform policy on improving adult numeracy and the future teaching of maths in schools.
Justin has actively campaigned on improving the numeracy skills of the young people across the UK and his campaign to include financial education in the curriculum was successful meaning that from September this year young people in England will learn about arithmetic through calculating bills; look at tariffs and discover more about equity, loans and mortgages. Justin will the APPG's Vice-Chair.
Justin Tomlinson MP said: "It is fantastic that MPs have come together from across the political spectrum with the aim of ending the decline in numeracy standards. As we've already seen with financial education, the Government is always willing to listen and act to improve the education of children and ensure that they have the skills they need to get on in life. I'm delighted to serve as the APPG's Vice-Chair and I look forward to working with teachers, students, MPs and the Minister on this project!"
Education Minister, Liz Truss MP, said: "I am delighted that the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Maths and Numeracy is being established. There is a growing political consensus around the importance of maths education with both Conservatives and Labour wanting all students to continue with maths until 18. Building up confidence in maths, getting across the importance of maths, working with people to drive up numeracy - that work is essential. The emphasis is on the fact that maths is for everyone, not just specialists and experts".
