Contribute to a national review of adult numeracy Tuesday, March 16, 2010 - 13:45

Organisations and individuals are still welcome to contribute to NIACE's review - Numeracy Counts: a review of adult numeracy in England - by submitting policy papers, research, and current practice to numeracyreview@niace.org.uk.

Lord Moser, whose landmark 1999 review of basic skills - A Fresh Start - led to the government's Skills for Life strategy, will take part in the seminar; and Dame Mary Marsh, Director of the Clore Social Leadership Programme, will be the Chair.

Lord Moser, said:

"Adult numeracy remains one of the most crucial priorities for the government and, because of how it impacts on individuals, families, communities and the whole of society. This review is essential at a crucial time for the economy and the many challenges that lie ahead."

Dame Mary Marsh, said:

"In so many different ways we all have to make sense of numerical information every day. Those people who have never been given the right help to develop sufficient confidence and competence to do this, face many challenges and frustrations. I am pleased to Chair this important review of the action needed to ensure more people can gain these vital skills."

Sue Southwood, NIACE Programme Director for Numeracy, said:

"More than ten years on from the Moser report and despite the impressive successes of the Skills for Life strategy, improving the numeracy skills of adults still creates a particular challenge. While things are certainly moving in the right direction, this review will support key players to create the step change called for in Skills for Growth."

Strong numeracy skills not only benefit individual adults, but they have a positive effect on families, the society and the economy. Recent government research - Economic Impact of Training and Education in Basic Skills - illustrates the impact that adult numeracy can have on employment and earnings, stating that:

• adults who have good numeracy skills have higher earnings and better employment chances than adults with lower skills;
• people who improve their numeracy skills between the ages of 21 and 34 are more likely to own their own homes and to have savings, and are less likely to be on benefits; and
• there is evidence that acquiring numeracy skills in adulthood brings earnings and employment benefits, even though these benefits may be slow to come to adults who often have additional barriers to overcome.

To contribute to NIACE's review - Numeracy Counts: a review of adult numeracy in England - please submit your evidence to numeracyreview@niace.org.uk or post it to Sue Southwood, NIACE, 21 De Montfort Street, Leicester, LE1 7GE. For additional information, call Sue Southwood on 07795 651071.

NIACE is undertaking the review on behalf of BIS and evidence submitted is NIACE copyright. Unless otherwise agreed it will be made public with sources referenced.