Improving number confidence for improved financial confidence
Following on from last year’s 'Gender & Numeracy' edition, this year, Number Confidence Week celebrated 'Money Matters', highlighting how everyday maths skills help us take control of our finances.
Money and finances are issues that everyone has to deal with and the theme was one which resonated with audiences across the UK.
Research from Headline Supporter Barclays LifeSkills* shows that a lack of number confidence is having a ripple effect on people’s everyday lives, particularly their finances.
Over a quarter (27%) have faced financial issues or avoided financial tasks in the past year due to low confidence with numbers, while 43% believe their finances would be stronger if they had better number skills.
Real-life stories took centre-stage for this year’s Number Confidence Week with beneficiaries, celebrity Ambassadors and National Numeracy staff members sharing their experiences with maths to show others that however they feel about the subject, they are not alone.
Along with stories, a range of free resources and activities provided opportunities for both adults and children to explore the value of numeracy in everyday life and take the first step towards improving their number confidence and skills.
The most impactful Number Confidence Week to date
Since we launched Number Confidence Week in 2020, the campaign has empowered people to take over 743,576 actions towards building their confidence with numbers.
In 2025, the campaign inspired 289,219 actions towards improving number confidence: a 49.8% increase on last year’s total, making it our biggest-ever Number Confidence Week yet!
Following Number Confidence Week 2025, we surveyed the schools, colleges, organisations and individuals that supported the campaign. All figures shown below are taken from this survey.**
- 97% of respondents felt that Number Confidence Week was effective in raising awareness of the role of numeracy in everyday life
- 95% of respondents said the campaign was effective in showcasing the benefits of using numbers in everyday life — for individuals, society, and the economy
- 95% of respondents reported that Number Confidence Week was effective in inspiring adults and children to improve their number confidence and skills
- 90% of respondents said that they were likely to take part in our other campaigns, such as National Numeracy Day in May
- 62% of respondents said that, as a result of Number Confidence Week, they or the people they supported now have greater awareness of the ways numbers are used in daily life
The power of our partnerships
The campaign’s Headline Supporter Barclays LifeSkills, along with Lead Supporters, Capital One, Compare The Market, Experian, EY, TP ICAP and Vanquis Banking Group, were vital to the success of Number Confidence Week 2025.
Highlights of the campaign include the “Wheel of Numbers” live assembly, hosted by Bafta-winning presenter Maddie Moate and organised by Barclays LifeSkills, and a place-based approach focused on the East Midlands, which featured initiatives such as a Maths Confidence Café, supported by Experian.
During November, corporate volunteers also engaged pupils around the country with the value of numeracy to everyday life, with the success of the Corporate Volunteering programme made possible through partnerships with Capital One, Experian, EY, Vanquis Banking Group, Kartesia, Barratt Redrow Foundation, LSEG Foundation and Compare the Market.
All these pioneering organisations demonstrated the power of partnerships in fostering a number-positive culture, encouraging thousands to take the first step towards improved numeracy.
Vim Maru, CEO of Barclays UK, said:
"At Barclays, we believe that confidence with numbers and money helps individuals to make better financial decisions and supports economic growth. In today’s world, feeling confident to manage money is more important than ever before. Over the coming decades, the UK will witness a ‘great wealth transfer’ of trillions of pounds between generations, while ongoing economic pressures like inflation continue to shape people’s financial concerns.
"Against this backdrop, fostering individual confidence with numbers and money is not just beneficial, it’s essential.
"This year’s Number Confidence Week was an opportunity to commit to a shared ambition to transform number skills and build financial confidence. I was delighted to take part in the Barclays LifeSkills and National Numeracy live assembly. It was a powerful moment to inspire the next generation to feel empowered with numbers and ready for the financial opportunities and challenges ahead, in a fun and interactive way.
"Barclays is proud to champion important initiatives like Number Confidence Week. Together, we can build a more financially confident nation."
Sam Sims, Chief Executive of National Numeracy said:
"This year’s theme, Money Matters, reflects a crucial issue facing people across the UK: number confidence for financial confidence. Every day, we all make decisions that affect our financial well-being, from budgeting for the weekly shop to planning for the future.
"Yet for too many of us, a lack of confidence with numbers stands in the way of feeling in control of our finances. During this, our sixth Number Confidence Week, we set out to show how boosting number confidence can help people make sense of their money, build resilience, and take positive steps toward financial empowerment.
"Thanks to the commitment of our Headline Supporter Barclays and all of our Lead Supporters, the enthusiasm of our celebrity Ambassadors, and the engagement of thousands of schools, organisations and communities nationwide, Number Confidence Week has once again proven the power of boosting the nation’s number confidence. Together, we’ve empowered people to take over 289,000 actions towards improved number confidence - the first step towards improved numeracy.
"Thank you to everyone who took part, shared their stories, and helped spread the message that number confidence for financial confidence really does matter, and can be life-changing."
*Research conducted on behalf of Barclays LifeSkills by Opinium between 4th – 8th July 2025, surveying a nationally representative sample of 2,000 UK adults.
**Survey response: 2,127 people were sent an email, resulting in 146 responses – a response rate of 7%. Profile: Compared to the profile of all NCW signups, the survey sample was representative (79% of the survey respondents were from schools, compared to 81% of sign ups; 12% of the respondents were from organisations, compared to 12% of all sign ups, 9% of the respondents were individuals, compared to 7% of all sign ups).
