I believe that at least some of these problems are easily solved. Because the British can count; it’s our growing lack of confidence that is the issue. The good news is that new psychological tricks may be enough to open up the world of numbers to millions.

Mathematics is perceived as “hard” – impossible to master unless you have the “right” sort of brain. Maths, like playing chess at a high level, has a geeky, cerebral image that can be intimidating. But the reality is that we do maths all the time; modern life would be impossible without it.

Our brains are constantly at work adding and subtracting, dividing and multiplying. Visit any town on market day and stallholders use mental arithmetic fast enough to rival Carol Vorderman. Shoppers evaluate supermarket offers and bargain-hunters rapidly calculate the potential savings on a 25 per cent discount.