Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 9
9
Department allocated £700 million for diverse teacher recruitment and retention initiatives
Conclusion
In 2024–25, the Department budgeted to spend around £700 million across a range of initiatives, other than pay and pensions, designed to improve teacher recruitment and retention.20 Of this, £390 million (49%) related to financial incentives. This included training bursaries and scholarships (£233 million) and retention payments for teachers, often aimed at those teaching specific subjects and those teaching in deprived areas.21 The remaining £310 million (51%) of funding related to the Department providing non-financial benefits, such as opportunities for professional development. For example, it budgeted to spend £131 million on a framework to better support those in the first two years of their career.22
Government Response
A response document is linked to this report, dated 15 October 2025. Response attribution to this conclusion has not been verified. Read the response document ↗