Tuition fees for maths degrees should be waived to encourage more students to apply for places, a government commissioned study has concluded.

Government Response: Department for Education and Skills

David Miliband School Standards Minister said: "Since 1997 the government has put maths at the top of the education agenda. More children than ever before go to secondary school able to count well because of the numeracy strategy in primary schools.  And last year's 14 year old maths results were also the best ever because of the clear focus on maths in the early years of secondary school. So we have a platform of progress on which to build.

“The next stage is to get it right between 14 and 19. This is why Professor Smith's report is so important. We will consider our response carefully and respond in due course.

“As with the wider review of 14-19 education, we will judge the recommendations in this report against 4 key tests: Excellence – does it stretch the most able young people? Vocational – does it address the historic failure to provide a high-quality vocational offer that stretches young people and prepares them for work. Assessment – does it reduce the burden of assessment? Disaffection – does it stop the scandal of our high drop out rate?"