All pupils in England to study maths until 18 under PM's 'new mission'
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will set out the plans in his first speech of the new year
Last updated 4th Jan 2023
The Prime Minister will set out plans to keep all pupils in England studying some form of maths until aged 18, in his first speech of the new year.
Rishi Sunak is expected to set out his priorities and ambitions for the year ahead, which will include a 'new mission' to combat high rates of innumeracy.
The UK remains one of the only countries in the world that does not require children to study some form of maths up to the age of 18.
"No reason" England cannot rival the best education system in the world
The PM will say that with the "right plan", he sees "no reason" why "we cannot rival the best education systems in the world".
He is expected to say: "This is personal for me. Every opportunity I've had in life began with the education I was so fortunate to receive.
"And it's the single most important reason why I came into politics: to give every child the highest possible standard of education.
"Thanks to the reforms we've introduced since 2010, and the hard work of so many excellent teachers, we've made incredible progress.
"With the right plan - the right commitment to excellence - I see no reason why we cannot rival the best education systems in the world".
Mr Sunak is expected to commit to starting the work of introducing maths to 18 in this Parliament and finishing it in the next.
The Government does not apparently envisage making maths A-level compulsory for all 16-year-olds and further detail will be set out in due course.
Ministers are instead exploring existing routes, such as the Core Maths qualifications and T-Levels, as well as more innovative options.
PM "needs to show his working out"- Labour
Commenting on the speech trail, a Labour source said: "In their desperation to ensure Sunak's speech doesn't happen after Keir's, No 10 have revealed they have nothing to offer the country except... double maths.
"As the health service falls to pieces after 12 years of Tory rule, criminals terrorise the streets, and working people worry how their wages will last the month, the country is entitled to ask: is this it?"
On the "maths to 18" plan, shadow education secretary Bridget Phillipson said the Prime Minister "needs to show his working", as "he cannot deliver this reheated, empty pledge without more maths teachers".
She added: "Yet the Government has missed their target for new maths teachers year after year, with existing teachers leaving in their droves.
"Now, maths attainment gaps are widening yet Rishi Sunak as chancellor said the country had 'maxed out' on Covid recovery support for our children.
"Labour will end tax breaks for private schools and use the money to invest in 6,500 more teachers, including maths teachers, to drive up standards in this country."
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is expected to give a major speech on Thursday.