Chief executive of online maths tuition provider claims that adults require support to improve their numeracy.
Many UK adults struggle with a lack of basic numeracy skills, it has been claimed.
According to whizz.com, an online provider of maths tuition for children, British parents are often unable to help their children with homework because they do not possess a good enough understanding of mathematical problems.
The company claims that the maths ability of the typical British adult is equivalent to that of a ten-and-a-half year-old child.
Richard Marett, chief executive officer of whizz.com, said that many adults failed to develop competent maths skills at school and are now too embarrassed to seek further training to improve their understanding.
"What makes it so hard for adults more so than children is that we are a bit embarrassed about it. We make a joke of it but part of it is embarrassment," he commented.
Mr Marett revealed that whizz.com is planning to develop a version of its service specifically for adult learners, due to significant demand.
He explained that learning maths online appeals to many older people who would be reluctant to seek out a private tutor in person.
"It's really basic maths that a lot of adults are flummoxed by and they are just too embarrassed to really get help from another human being," he said.
Both the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives recently pledged their commitment to increase funding for adult and community learning by £100 million.
These pledges were welcomed by the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education, with director Alan Tuckett claiming that they were indicative of "an emerging consensus for adult learning" in the UK.
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