NEWS: Teacher Shortages Persist as New Entrants Reach 15-Year Low

As reported by the Guardian, fresh figures on England’s teaching workforce have triggered a dispute between ministers and unions over the government’s progress towards its pledge to recruit 6,500 additional teachers

The Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union, said the latest data undermined government claims of success, pointing to a decline in overall teacher numbers and the lowest level of newly qualified entrants since records began three decades ago.

The Department for Education rejected that criticism, insisting it remains on course to deliver its manifesto commitment by the end of the current parliament.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said more than two-thirds of the target had already been achieved, arguing that retention rates had improved and that more teachers were remaining in the profession for longer.

Despite those claims, official figures showed only 41,000 new and returning teachers entered state schools this year, down from around 51,000 a decade ago and the lowest intake recorded in at least 15 years.

Labour pledged before the 2024 general election to recruit 6,500 additional teachers in key subjects, funded through changes to tax arrangements for private schools.

The DfE said it had increased teacher numbers by 4,600 compared with its 2023 baseline, including growth in secondary schools, special schools and pupil referral units, which it argues demonstrates progress towards the target.