A government-commissioned study has heavily criticised the teaching of maths in secondary schools.

Professor Adrian Smith said that maths education threatens Britain’s economic success.

The study recommends that students be offered financial incentives to study the subject, both at A level and degree level.

The Department for Education and Skills should also appoint a maths "tsar" to monitor any progress, it says, while a national centre for excellence in maths teaching should be created, with support from nine regional centres.