North-South Divide Exposes Significant Numeracy Skills Gap in England

A new report reveals a significant divide in numeracy skills across England, with adults in northern regions struggling more with basic mathematics compared to their counterparts in the south. The findings from independent charity National Numeracy indicate that nearly nine in ten adults in northern England reside in areas identified as having the greatest need for numeracy support.

In contrast, fewer than one in five adults in the South live in areas with similarly low numeracy levels. The report analyzed data from 379 local authority districts across Great Britain to pinpoint regions where adults are most likely to lack confidence and skills in numerical tasks. This disparity has led to calls for urgent government intervention, with estimates suggesting that poor mathematical skills are costing the UK economy approximately £25 billion annually.

The research highlights that around half of working-age adults possess numeracy skills equivalent to an 11-year-old, and more than a quarter of pupils leave school without a mathematics GCSE.

Specifically, over 10.6 million adults in the North, representing 88 percent of the region's adult population, live in areas requiring the most numeracy support. The South faces a comparable situation with nearly four million adults, or 17 percent, in such areas.

The North East shows a particularly pronounced divide, with every local authority falling within the category of greatest need. In the North West, 33 out of 39 local authorities are in this category, affecting 84 percent of the adult population. Yorkshire and the Humber also show significant disparities, with 15 out of 21 local authorities among the worst-performing, encompassing 88 percent of adults.

The situation in London is markedly different, with only Barking and Dagenham identified as needing support, representing just two percent of the city's adult population. The South East reports 14 percent of its adult population in areas needing support.

Cities with Lowest Numeracy Skills

Hull has been identified as the city with the lowest numeracy skills, scoring 100 on the charity's index, where higher scores indicate a greater likelihood of poor numeracy. Nottingham and Stoke-on-Trent are joint second with scores of 99, followed by Sunderland (98) and Liverpool (97). The bottom ten also include Leicester, Wolverhampton, Doncaster, Manchester, and Lincoln.

The Midlands also face challenges, with 79 percent of adults in the East Midlands and 70 percent in the West Midlands living in areas identified as needing the greatest support. Other cities among the 20 worst for numeracy include Bradford, Salford, Wakefield, Newcastle upon Tyne, Preston, Sheffield, Birmingham, and Derby.

The report also noted that Makerfield, the constituency represented by Andy Burnham, ranks 515th out of 650 parliamentary seats, indicating it is among the poorer performing areas nationally for numeracy.

National Numeracy is advocating for the government to prioritize addressing this skills gap, asserting that improved numeracy could enhance employment opportunities, wages, and overall economic growth. The charity warns that difficulties with numbers can impact daily life, from understanding payslips and managing household budgets to comparing prices and applying for jobs. Over a third of adults report anxiety related to numbers, and poor numeracy can increase vulnerability to debt, unemployment, and fraud.

Sam Sims, chief executive of National Numeracy, stated, "These figures expose a divide that demands urgent attention. Millions of adults across northern England live in communities where the need for numeracy support is greatest." He added that building confidence and skills with numbers can attract investment, create jobs, and boost earnings and productivity, suggesting that targeted support in the most affected communities could drive more equitable regional growth and social mobility.

The charity is calling for sustained investment in the worst-affected areas, empowering local leaders to direct support, and fostering partnerships between employers, educational institutions, and community groups. This appeal coincides with Number Confidence Week and follows the recent delivery of the Chancellor's Budget.