Teacher Recruitment

Douglas McAllister (West Dunbartonshire) (Lab) and Markus Campbell-Savours (Penrith and Solway) (Lab) asked the Minister for School Standards, Catherine McKinnell, what steps the Government is taking to recruit more teachers. In response, the Minister stated that as a first step in the Government's mission to break down barriers to opportunity, they will recruit 6,500 additional teachers. The Government has kickstarted recruitment campaigns and made a 5.5% pay award, resetting the relationship with the education workforce to re-establish teaching as an attractive expert profession after years of damage under the previous Government. Douglas McAllister followed up, agreeing that the Government has promised change in education and made a commitment to raising school standards and increasing teacher numbers after 14 years of Tory neglect. He noted that the Scottish National Party's 17 years in power in Scotland have led to falling standards, under-resourced schools, and a growing attainment gap between the richest and the rest. The Minister acknowledged the challenges in Scotland and stated that the Labour Government will transform the education system to ensure that all young people get the opportunities they deserve. Markus Campbell-Savours raised the issue of teacher retention, noting that many teachers in his constituency welcome the drive to recruit more teachers but also want the Government to recognize the pressures on those already in the profession. The Minister responded that the Government is listening and acting on feedback, developing a workload reduction toolkit and an education staff wellbeing charter to make teaching a better valued and respected profession. Ellie Chowns (North Herefordshire) (Green) intervened, highlighting the lack of parity in funding between teachers in the schools sector and those in the further education (FE) sector. She asked the Minister to roll out the 5.5% pay rise to teachers in the FE sector as well, to ensure there is no increase in inequality between academic and vocational opportunities. The Minister acknowledged the challenges in the FE sector and stated that the Government will continue to keep the matter under review, as they want to ensure that every child has the best opportunities, whether in the school system or the FE sector. Munira Wilson (Twickenham) (LD) also raised the issue of the pay gap between teachers in schools and those in colleges, noting that the recent pay announcement overlooked college teachers, who already face a pay gap of more than £9,000. The Minister recognized the challenges and stated that the Government is facing an incredibly challenging fiscal position, having inherited a £22 billion black hole from the previous Government. She said the Government will continue to do what they can within the fiscal envelope and the system they have inherited, which is why they honored the recommendations of the School Teachers' Review Body.