Lucy Powell MP, Labour’s Shadow Education Secretary, responding to the TES teacher recruitment report, said: 

“This report is a damning verdict on the Tories’ record on teacher recruitment and retention in this country. Half of all schools had unfilled positions at the start of this year, and standards are being threatened as they are forced to turn to unqualified staff, temporary supply teachers, non-specialists, and larger class sizes to cope with the chronic shortages in the profession. All the while, the Government continues to botch teacher recruitment, missing its own targets year on year, and storing up further trouble for our schools.

“There is nothing more fundamental to a good education than having enough excellent teachers in our schools. But the Tories’ monumental failure on this route one, basic issue is damaging the education of the next generation.”