Labour responds to new figures showing the government has only recruited half their target for secondary initial teacher training

Catherine McKinnell MP, Labour's Shadow Schools Minister, responding to new figures showing the government has only recruited half their target for secondary initial teacher training, said:

"The Conservatives are overseeing a catastrophic shortfall in teacher recruitment which is leaving children without the expert teachers they need.

"Ministers have no idea how to reverse this trend — simply relying on the good will of staff going above and beyond to try and plug gaps.

"Labour will make teaching attractive once more, tackling additional pressures such as student mental health with specialist mental health professionals in schools, and giving teachers new opportunities for professional development to retain more of our brilliant school staff."

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Notes

2023/24 initial teacher training figures published today, 7 December, are available here:https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/initial-teacher-training-census/2023-24