Maths may be the most popular subject choice, but concerns remain about the skills of young people who choose not to study it ...

The UK government is to cut back a hugely successful programme designed to encourage teenagers to take up higher-level maths courses, causing dismay among charities and campaign groups.

Rishi Sunak said the UK was one of the few developed countries where young people did not routinely study some form of maths up to the age of 18.

Core Maths, introduced in 2014, is designed for pupils who have achieved a grade 4 or above in GCSE maths but who are not taking AS or A-Level maths.

The Advanced Mathematics Support Programme, which has been running since 2018, helps state schools in England teach A-level maths, further maths and a core maths programme that provides “maths ...