There are 8 million adults without age 11 competency in maths. So we can put large numbers of those down to Tory failures in the last 13 years.
Why is it a stupid policy? Students who have reached a satisfactory level of competence are better off concentrating on where their brilliance lies rather than forcing them tolerant stuff with little benefit to them or society. If there is a real problem it would seem necessary to institute free evening and remote learning packages.and maybe increase the minimum wage for those with GCSE Maths grade 6 and above. Maybe there should be a less academic competence exam based on practical necessity.
Which leads me onto the need for a comprehensive assessment of the education system. For too long it has been on 19th century public school philosophy. I would start by asking lots of questions. Why do children star school/education at the age of 4/5? Why is there a rigid divide between subjects? What subjects are not covered? Why are exam courses so long? How could students use the internet? Why is the day split into 4-8 lessons? Why are students split into age brackets? Why’s a 3 or 6 term year? Some answers maybe be obvious, others less so. Only when these aspects have been debated, away from the eyes of the media, can we hope to provide education for our students commensurate with the 21st Century and the unknown future.