When it comes to maths, the PM should focus on women

The prime minister says the UK has an anti-maths mindset. But could part of it be that the UK has an anti-women-in-maths mindset?

New research provides concerning evidence that women are being left behind when it comes to the most essential component of numeracy: confidence.

As the PM’s advisers start to flesh out plans for his “maths to 18” policy, they might want to take stock of how to engage girls.

The UK has one of the biggest gender gaps in maths skills, according to a March OECD report on the gender gap in skills across the region. The study concludes that gender stereotypes feed into girls’ lack of confidence and fear of failure. This results in an “under-utilisation and misallocation of talent, which limits