Lucy Powell MP, Labour’s Shadow Education Secretary, commenting on the government announcement about times tables, said:

“Nothing is doing more damage to maths education in this country than the Government’s failure to recruit enough good maths teachers. Ministers have created chronic shortages of teachers up and down the country, particularly in key subjects such as English and maths. This is risking standards in our schools, and holding back both our young people and Britain’s future success.

"Times tables have long been a core part of excellent numeracy in our primary schools, and of testing. This announcement smacks of a government which has run out of ideas for educational improvement."