UK Government Lacks Coherent Plan to Recruit 6,500 Teachers Amid Shortages

MPs from the Public Accounts Committee have raised serious concerns over the UK Government's ability to fulfill Labour's pledge to recruit 6,500 new teachers by the end of the parliamentary term, highlighting a lack of a coherent plan, clear targets, and evidence-based strategies for recruitment and retention. The Department for Education (DfE) has not provided a clear explanation of how the target was calculated or how it intends to address the significant teacher shortages, including an estimated need for 12,400 more teachers in colleges alone by 2028-29. The report emphasized workload and escalating pupil behavior problems as key reasons for teachers leaving, and noted that teacher shortages and retention issues are more severe in deprived areas, where schools also suffer from a higher proportion of inexperienced staff. MPs have urged the DfE to consider changes in contractual and working conditions such as flexible working, and to evaluate the effectiveness of pay rises and behavior management initiatives to improve retention. The funding model, which included a VAT on private school fees, has come under scrutiny after ministers indicated the revenue might be diverted to other public services, further complicating the pledge's delivery. Overall, the committee stressed the need for clearer baselines, milestones, and accountability measures to ensure progress on teacher recruitment and retention is transparent and effective.