evidence: - England and Northern Ireland score particularly badly on numeracy compared to other major economies. [...] England and Northern Ireland have one of the lowest levels of numeracy skills when compared to other OECD countries. 24% scored at or below the OECD's basic level of numeracy skills in tests conducted for its report on the 2013 skills outlook (confusingly, their basic level refers to a different Level 1 to the one above). [...] If you live in England and Northern Ireland, it's more likely that your social background will influence your literacy performance too, according to the report. Particularly so among young people.