Survey highlights lack of numeracy capability

ALMOST one in four adults is unable to work out a simple pay rise, according to a poll.

Many others struggle with basic calculations such as interest on a savings account or currency exchange rates.

Figures have previously shown that around half of England’s workingage population have the numeracy skills of a primary school pupil.

National Numeracy, the charity which commissioned the survey, said that with Brexit approaching, more must be done, by employers and government, to recognise the scale of the UK’s numeracy problem and deal with this issue.

Overall, 23 per cent of more than 2,000 adults questioned were unable to correctly work out a new rate of pay.