Making a difference on National Numeracy Day

Today we celebrate the third annual National Numeracy Day – and the first virtual one. I’m proud that KPMG is a founding supporter of the day and proud, too, that the team behind it have successfully adapted it in the current environment.

National Numeracy Day celebrates the fact that we are all numbers people: we can all improve our numeracy skills, whatever our age. Since its launch, thousands of people have pledged to take steps to improve their numeracy.

It is a particularly topical subject right now. I’ve been struck by the fact that numbers are incredibly important to grasp and better understand our current crisis. Infection rates, the reproductive value of the virus, and the details of the many government support packages - they’re all numbers we see frequently in the headlines, each with significant consequences.

We can’t fight this crisis if we don’t understand the numbers that surround it. And when it comes to our economic recovery, having a numerate workforce is key to boosting productivity in developing a better tomorrow.

I encourage you to drop in to some of the events today. The line-up is impressive: Martin Lewis, Carol Vorderman and the Chief Economist of the Bank of England, Andy Haldane, will all be running sessions.

Here’s the link to join the join the virtual festival online.

Please let me know how you get on.

Best wishes

Bill