Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 10
10
Department lacks robust value-for-money analysis for teacher recruitment initiatives and spending
Conclusion
We asked the Department how confident it was that the initiatives funded through the £700 million represented the best value for money. It told us it had allocated the funding in a way to make what is described as “as much progress as possible”.23 We challenged the Department on, for example, whether the £26 million annual spend relating to its recruitment website reflected the right amount. The Department subsequently clarified what these costs covered the whole of the Get Into Teaching service for 2024-25, which comprises the School Teacher Recruitment marketing campaign, candidate support services, teaching internships and digital products and services including the website, costing £1.3 million. However, the Department’s response does not allow like for like comparison with the costs for other comparable recruitment websites or activities or show any analysis of whether the costs were appropriate.24
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
2.3 The department is investing in analysing and evaluating policies to understand impact, maximise value for money and ensure focus on our best evidenced levers. The department’s strategy is underpinned by a robust and expanding evidence base, including data from the School Workforce Census, Further Education Workforce in England publication, Initial Teacher Training (ITT) performance profiles for Schools, and evaluations of recruitment and retention initiatives. 2.5 The department is also embedding value for money analysis into the design and evaluation of all major initiatives, such as the Early Career Framework for Schools and National Professional Qualifications.