Making Up the Numbers?

The debate about the current (I think he's the current?) UK PM's 'plan' to enhance numeracy in all pupils in England gathers pace. He proposes to make all students study maths, up to the age of 18. He claims this will 'equip them for the modern workplace' (https://www.theguardian.com/education/2023/jan/03/rishi-sunak-to-propose-maths-for-all-pupils-up-to-age-18). Mathematcian, Kit Yates (Bath University), thinks Sunak's plan doesn't 'add up' (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/jan/04/mathematician-rishi-sunak-compulsory-maths-students). Yates agrees that maths knowledge can improve employability. He suggests, however, that forcing all students to study a subject some do not (or even cannot) enjoy, might entirely put them off advanced secondary level studies. Yates states that mathematics is already the most popular 'A' level topic. He also notes there is currently a shortage of specialist maths teachers in secondary schools. There appears to have been little attempt to solve this problem. Journalist, Simon Jenkins, goes further. He rails against what he perceives as the 'cult of maths' (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/jan/05/maths-schools-rishi-sunak-arts-sport). Jenkins feels that schools have already been 'brainwashed' (I do this every day) into 'sacrificing arts, sport and acquiring complex life skills on the alter of the easily measurable'. His basic point is that other skills and attributes are needed by society. People acquiring these can also be important to the economy. As a Biologist with a fondness for numbers, I have been enthusiastic to demystify simple mathematics for students. Understanding things reduces the fear. I am also strongly in favour of improving the general public's understanding of graphs, statistics, correlations and odds. This doesn't have to be done in traditional maths lessons. Better understanding of these might reduce the ease with which people are 'conned' by politicians and snake-oil salesfolk. Indeed, a better understanding of odds might even help reduce the obscene profits of gambling companies. It seems bizzare that the boss of Bet365 was paid more than £260m in salary and dividends up to March 2022 and this represented a 15% reduction on her income for the previous year (https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/jan/06/bet365-boss-denise-coates-was-paid-more-than-260m-in-year-to-march). I can't see the 'gambling industry' as something that improves the quality of life for the majority.