Statistics and data skills are key to ‘Numeracy for Life’

We have submitted evidence to the Numeracy for Life inquiry, calling for a series of measures to better equip people with the skills needed in a data-driven world.  

In our submission, we asserted that numeracy must go beyond basic arithmetic to include statistical and data literacy. While numeracy – basic confidence and competence with numbers – is important, we believe that statistical literacy is fundamental for understanding what numbers mean in context.  

Our submission also stressed that:  

• As AI becomes more widespread, statistics and data skills are increasingly important for understanding bias, uncertainty and data quality, and for interpreting AI outputs critically 

• Maths curriculums should place greater emphasis on statistics, data and real-world applications to equip young people with the skills needed for a data-driven economy 

• Negative attitudes towards maths remain widespread and require a long-term national strategy to reduce maths avoidance across all age groups 

• More investment is needed in data skills training, including apprenticeships and postgraduate conversion courses, to address growing skills shortages. 

Overall, our submission emphasised that ‘Numeracy for Life’ must go beyond basic competence with numbers to ensure that people are equipped to interpret numbers in context, think critically about data and engage confidently with the evidence which shapes decision-making in public life. 

Read the full response here.