Commons Sense

Hansard-based summaries and metrics

STEM Teachers in Disadvantaged Areas 2022-10-24

2022-10-24

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Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Sheryll Murray
▸ Context
The MP is concerned about the shortage of science, technology, engineering and mathematics teachers working in underprivileged communities.
What steps his Department is taking to attract science, technology, engineering and mathematics teachers to work in disadvantaged areas?
Jonathan Gullis
In 2020-21 there was an increase of more than 4,400 full-time teachers in state-funded schools in England. This has resulted in the largest qualified teacher stock since the school workforce census began in 2011. Early career maths, physics, chemistry and computing teachers working in eligible schools with disadvantaged pupil cohorts can now claim our tax-free levelling up premium.
▸ Assessment & feedback
Specific measures to attract STEM teachers to disadvantaged areas were not detailed beyond the general increase in full-time teachers.
Response accuracy
Q2 Partial Answer
Sheryll Murray
▸ Context
Cornwall's high housing costs are seen as a barrier to attracting teachers.
What more can the Department do to encourage teachers to come to Cornwall and not to other places with cheaper housing?
Jonathan Gullis
Since 2010, more than 9,000 homes have been delivered in Cornwall. In August 2021 we announced £1 billion of funding from our affordable homes programme, which will be used to deliver more than 17,000 affordable homes across the south-west. Twenty-six schools in Cornwall are eligible for the levelling up premium, including Liskeard School and Community College in the MP's constituency.
▸ Assessment & feedback
Specific measures addressing high housing costs for teachers were not provided beyond mentioning funding for affordable homes across a wider region.
Response accuracy
Q3 Partial Answer
Meg Hillier Lab Co-op
Hackney South and Shoreditch
▸ Context
The Government promised a £30,000 starting salary for teachers in their manifesto.
How close are the Government to reaching that manifesto commitment?
Jonathan Gullis
I have asked for this Government's manifesto commitment to a £30,000 a year starting salary to be honoured for 2023-24 at the next independent pay review.
▸ Assessment & feedback
The exact status of reaching the manifest goal was not detailed beyond requesting it during the next pay review.
Response accuracy