Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Teacher Recruitment

Monday 9 September 2024 · 5 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government plans to recruit 6500 additional teachers.
  • The Department aims to improve teacher retention through workload reduction and wellbeing initiatives.
  • Recognition of funding disparities between school and FE sector teachers is acknowledged, with continued review for parity.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Markus Campbell-Savours Lab Penrith and Solway
Education
Context

The MP highlights the need for more teachers due to a shortage in education staff.

Question

What steps she is taking to recruit more teachers. The MP noted that many schools face severe shortages of qualified teaching professionals, leading to increased class sizes and reduced educational quality.

Answer from Catherine McKinnell

As a first step in our mission to break down barriers to opportunity, we will recruit 6,500 additional teachers. We have kickstarted recruitment campaigns and made a 5.5% pay award, resetting the relationship with the education workforce. We aim to re-establish teaching as an attractive expert profession after years of damage under the previous Government.

Answered
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Q2 Douglas McAllister Lab West Dunbartonshire
Education
Context

The MP referenced the previous Scottish National Party's governance that saw declining school standards, under-resourced schools, and an expanding educational gap between rich and poor.

Question

This Government have promised change in education, making commitments to raise school standards and increase teacher numbers after 14 years of Tory neglect. The SNP's leadership has caused falling standards, underfunded schools, and a growing attainment gap. Does the Minister agree that it is time for change given this situation?

Answer from Catherine McKinnell

Breaking down barriers to opportunity is key for our mission, and we see attainment gaps widening and child poverty rising under the SNP. We will transform our education system so that all young people get opportunities they deserve, driving high and rising standards across it.

Not addressed: The MP's specific assessment of change needed in education governance.

How: Discussing The Opposition Party'S Record Instead

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Q3 Markus Campbell-Savours Lab Penrith and Solway
Education
Context

The MP noted that while recruitment efforts are welcome, teachers in his constituency face significant pressures within the profession.

Question

Many teachers in my constituency welcome the drive to recruit more teachers, but they also want the Government to recognise the pressures on those already in the profession. What steps will the Department take to improve teacher retention?

Answer from Catherine McKinnell

I want teachers not only to remain in the profession but also to thrive in it. We are listening and acting on feedback, developing a workload reduction toolkit and an education staff wellbeing charter alongside school leaders. We aim to deliver measures that make teaching a better valued and respected profession.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps or timelines for improving retention were not provided in detail.

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Q4 Ellie Chowns Green North Herefordshire
Education
Context

The MP highlighted the disparity between funding for teachers in secondary and further education sectors, with post-16 vocational courses being less well-funded.

Question

I recently visited a college providing excellent further education opportunities. However, there is not parity of funding for teachers in the FE sector compared to schools, meaning that post-16 education is better funded for academic than vocational courses. Will the Secretary of State roll out the 5.5% pay rise to FE teachers also?

Answer from Catherine McKinnell

We accepted STRB's recommendation of a 5.5% award for teachers and leaders in maintained schools from September, recognising their hard work. We recognise the challenges in the FE sector and issues set out by the hon. Lady. We will continue to keep this under review to ensure every child has best opportunities whether in school or FE.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific commitment on extending the pay rise to the FE sector was not provided.

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Q5 Munira Wilson Lib Dem Twickenham
Education Economy Employment
Context

The MP pointed out that the recent pay announcement overlooked teachers working in colleges, who face a £9,000 pay gap compared to school teachers. Additionally, colleges have twice as many students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Question

The new Government's focus on recruitment and retention crisis is welcome, but the recent pay announcement overlooks FE teachers facing a £9,000 pay gap. With more disadvantaged students in colleges, why do 16-year-old school teachers deserve a pay rise while college teachers do not?

Answer from Catherine McKinnell

We recognise the challenges set out. Facing a challenging fiscal position, we inherited a £22 billion deficit from previous governments. Our focus is ensuring young people have opportunities and we take issues seriously within our system limitations. We honoured STRB review recommendations and continue to do what we can within our envelope.

Not addressed: Concrete steps or timeline for addressing pay disparities were not provided.

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