Sunak and Murty promote maths charity on This Morning, joking about who’s in charge

Rishi Sunak and Akshata Murty appeared on This Morning to promote their new charity, The Richmond Project, a North Yorkshire–based effort designed to make maths less intimidating and more accessible to learners of all ages. Murty teased the approach by telling viewers that she would start the explanation, prompting co-host Dermot O’Leary to quip that it sounded like a discussion, while Alison Hammond joked, “We know who’s in charge!” The segment showcased a light-hearted tone as the couple discussed their initiative and their life after Sunak’s tenure as prime minister.

Since stepping back from frontline politics, Murty said she has enjoyed having Sunak at home more, noting that it has brought “certainly more sleep” and that their daughters are thrilled to have him around. She described the dog’s enjoyment of family walks and explained that while Sunak brings energy and intensity to the home, it can be exhausting trying to keep up with all the things he wants to do and explore. Nonetheless, Murty emphasized the upside: they are able to spend more time together and to reflect, particularly while based at their home in Yorkshire.

Sunak himself acknowledged the transition, remarking that he missed the short commute from No. 10 Downing Street but appreciated the chance to share daily routines with his children. He joked about reordering cupboards and taking part in his daughters’ skincare routines, acknowledging that the shift to life outside the spotlight has its own set of adjustments. The interview presented a more relaxed atmosphere than many of Sunak’s pre-Prime Minister appearances, underscoring the couple’s focus on their charitable work and family life.

The Richmond Project, named after the couple’s hometown, aims to “break down barriers to numeracy” and build confidence in numbers, Murty said. Sunak added that he, too, faced challenges with numeracy during his time as Chancellor of the Exchequer and that mental arithmetic could cause anxiety even when others assumed it would be his strong suit. He admitted that people often thought he was “good with numbers” simply because of his role, and he described struggling with mental arithmetic as a persistent issue over the years. The couple demonstrated maths techniques and discussed how they have adapted to life away from the public eye, emphasizing practical approaches to learning that can be applied at home and in schools.

The on-air discussion also included a light-hearted Mr and Mrs game, in which Hammond and O’Leary read statements that the couple then indicated who they felt best matched. Sunak and Murty revealed that he was the first to tell her he loved her and that their shared takeaway preference is a Nando’s meal. The Richmond Project was first announced in March, with the couple describing it as a long-term commitment to making maths approachable for learners in the UK.