Written Answers
Wednesday 22 October 2014
Academies
Question
Asked by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what criteria will be used to assess proposals by academy chains planning to outsource all non-teaching posts to profit-making providers.[HL2167]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash) (Con): The criteria that all academy trusts must adhere to in conducting their financial affairs are set out in the Academies Financial Handbook, which can be found at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/academies-financial-handbook
Paragraph 1.5.21 of the handbook explains that the accounting officer of a trust must ensure that the trust’s financial conduct is regular, proper and represents good value for money. In addition, paragraph 3.3.1 of the handbook explains that all novel and/or contentious transactions must be referred to the Education Funding Agency (EFA) for prior authorisation.
In the case of a novel and/or contentious transaction, the EFA would always seek strong assurance from the trust that its proposal represented excellent value for money and that there was no risk of irregularity or impropriety. If there were any doubt about a trust’s ability to provide this assurance, authorisation would not be granted.
Class Sizes
Question
Asked by Baroness Royall of Blaisdon
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the average size of primary school classes in (1) the United Kingdom, (2) the South West of England, and (3) Bristol, in every month since May 2010. [HL2139]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash) (Con): The average size of state-funded primary school classes in England in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 was 26.6, 26.8, 26.8 and 26.9 respectively. These figures are published in table 6c of the Schools, Pupils and their Characteristics: January 2014 statistical first release.[1] The Department for Education only holds this information for schools in England.
The average size of primary school classes in the South West in 2014 was 26.5. The figure for Bristol was 26.8. These figures were derived from underlying data in the statistical release referred to above.
Monthly figures are not available as the Department collects this data annually each January. Overall, primary school figures for Bristol or the South West are only available for 2014, as it would incur disproportionate
cost to derive these figures for previous years. However, the 2011 figure is available in table 14a of the 2011 statistical first release.
[2][1] www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/ attachment_data/file/335177/SFR15_2014_national_tables_v101.xlsx
[2] www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/ attachment_data/file/219066/sfr12-2011latv2.xls
Coastal Areas: Regeneration
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how they assess the success of their 2010 “Strategy for seaside success”; and whether they have further proposals in this field.[HL2024]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon) (Con): The Strategy was issued by the last Government and called on third parties to do something about the challenges facing coastal towns. In contrast to this top-down strategy which relied on distant and unaccountable regional government to facilitate ideas, we have focused on empowering local communities.
This Government recognises the economic and social challenges faced by coastal and seaside communities and is committed to making them better places to live, work and visit. That is why we set up the Coastal Communities Fund. This has provided £62 million in grants to 114 projects across UK, levering in £96 million of other funding and delivering over 8,600 jobs, 3,300 training places and over 400 new business start-ups.
We have given communities the means to take control and act in the best interests of their local area through a wide toolkit of powers, options and incentives to help drive growth and jobs. As part of the Growth Deals announced in July we have committed over £500 million to projects put forward by Local Enterprise Partnerships to improve economic competitiveness in coastal areas and, also in July, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (Penny Mordaunt) was appointed Minister for Coastal Communities, to help them realise their potential and build a sustainable future for themselves.
Council of Europe Convention on the Manipulation of Sports Competitions
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will publish the advice they have received in response to the requirement set by Article 15 of the Council of Europe Convention on the Manipulation of Sports Competitions which states that each party shall ensure that its domestic laws enable it criminally to sanction manipulation of sports competitions when it involves either coercive, corrupt or fraudulent practices, as defined by its domestic law; and whether they intend to introduce legislation to that effect. [HL2134]
Lord Gardiner of Kimble (Con): The Council of Europe Convention on the Manipulation of Sports Competitions was adopted on 9 July 2014. The Government will be considering whether the UK should sign up to the Convention in due course. As part of this process the Government will be considering the extent to which the Articles in the Convention, including Article 15, will require the introduction of any legislation.
Council Tax
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what factors caused the reduced collection rate of Council Tax in England in 2013–14.[HL1904]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what were the average Council Tax arrears per dwelling in England in each year since 2010.[HL1905]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon) (Con): Council tax collection rates have not substantially changed, as illustrated by this table, which lists average collection rates over the last ten years.
| Average collection rate in England | % |
There were a number of factors which may have influenced the collection rates in 2013-14, which are explained in the statistical release published in July, which I have placed in the Library of the House. Historical figures can also be found on Table 4 of the release on the level of arrears.
I also have placed in the Library a table showing the total council tax arrears as of 31 March 2014 for each billing authority in England; to assist public scrutiny, the table also includes total arrears per dwelling and the in-year council tax collection rate. The worst council in England is Liverpool with £450 of arrears per dwelling; the best is Amber Valley with just £14 per dwelling.
The Department’s best practice document, “50 ways to save”, listed improving council tax collection rates and reducing arrears as a key way of making sensible savings to help keep overall council tax bills down and protect frontline services. Every penny of council tax that is not collected means a higher council tax for the law-abiding citizen who does pay on time.
It is important that councils are sympathetic to those in genuine hardship, are proportionate in enforcement and do not overuse bailiffs (and we have published guidance for councils to stop unjustified, aggressive collection practices). However, these figures show that there is a significant potential source of income which councils across the country could use to support frontline service or freeze council tax bills next year.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment has been made of the impact of the levying of council tax on low income households, both on local authorities in collecting such charges and on households unable to pay.[HL2069]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what estimates have been made of the amount of money local authorities would need to find to retain discounts for those low income households which have failed to date to pay the council tax demanded of them.[HL2070]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what consideration has been given to supporting low income households facing debt, repossession or bankruptcy over unpaid council tax following reductions in council tax benefit.[HL2071]
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The provision of support for low-income council taxpayers, as well as decisions on collection and enforcement, are matters for local authorities. It is for them to ensure that the effect of local schemes on specific groups of council taxpayers is proportionate and fair.
We issued guidance to councils last year to provide more protection for people against aggressive bailiffs and other unreasonable practices. This is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/council-tax.
Electoral Commission
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answers by Lord Wallace of Saltaire on 8 July (HL745) and 28 July (HL1102), and in the light of representations made about the names and descriptions of political parties appearing on ballot papers and allegations of electoral malpractice, whether they will review the powers and governance of the Electoral Commission.[HL1992]
Lord Wallace of Saltaire (LD): The Electoral Commission has a statutory role in registering party descriptions, and already has the power to not register certain types of descriptions, including those which are either offensive or misleading to the voter. These duties are set out in legislation and it is important that the Electoral Commission fulfils these efficiently and effectively. Following an incident earlier in the year when the Electoral Commission mistakenly registered
an extremely offensive party description, an independent review made some recommendations about future practice which the Electoral Commission accepted.
The Government has no plans to review the powers and governance of the Electoral Commission. The 11th report of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, Review of the Electoral Commission, recommended that the role of the Electoral Commission should be streamlined and re-focused into two core roles as a regulator of (a) political party funding and (b) of electoral administration. This recommendation was accepted by Government and the Electoral Commission.
EU Countries
Question
Asked by Lord Roberts of Llandudno
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many British nationals they estimate to live in each member state of the European Union.[HL2081]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): The most recent figures we have are taken from a 2010 report prepared by the Institute of Public Policy Research which was commissioned by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s Consular Directorate. These figures are estimates of the number of UK citizens living abroad (including for part of a year).
| EU Member State | UK Citizens living in Member State (estimate - including for part of the year) |
Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome
Question
Asked by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Minister of State for Care and Support, Norman Lamb MP, on 26 June (HC Deb, 278W), what progress has been made by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s evaluation committee in the evaluation of eculizumab to treat atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome. [HL2063]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe) (Con): The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published draft highly specialised technologies guidance on eculizumab for the treatment of atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome on 4 September. Stakeholders had until 25 September to comment on NICE’s draft recommendations and I understand that it currently expects to issue final guidance to the NHS in January 2015.
Islamic State
Questions
Asked by The Marquess of Lothian
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what information they have on the external funding of ISIL; and what discussions have been held with the governments of (1) Saudi Arabia, and (2) Qatar, on the external funding of ISIL.[HL2057]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL)’s main sources of revenue come from oil sales and extortion. Other sources have included foreign donors, kidnap ransom payments, and money stolen during its advances in recent months.
As part of our strategy to combat ISIL the UK led work on UN Security Council Resolution 2170 which was adopted unanimously on 15 August. It condemns ISIL, the al-Nusra front and other terrorist groups listed under Al-Qaida sanctions. The resolution urges members to take measures to choke ISIL’s sources of finance.
We are working with countries in the Middle East to counter the threat from terrorists and extremists across the region. Combating ISIL and degrading its financial support is a priority and we continue to discuss these issues with our partners, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
We are working closely with all our international partners to intensify efforts to stem ISIL’s funding flows.
Asked by The Marquess of Lothian
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they first became aware of the development and growth of ISIL in Syria before its incursion into Iraq. [HL2060]
Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) grew out of Al Qaida in Iraq [AQ-I] which has been operating there since 2003.
Press reporting from 2012 stated that AQ-I fighters were travelling over the border into Syria as the country emerged as the primary “jihadi theatre.” But ISIL’s presence in Syria was publicly announced by a declaration from Al Qaida in Iraq (AQ-I) leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi of its merger with Al Nusrah Front (ANF) in April 2013. The merger was subsequently rejected by the ANF.
Japanese Knotweed: Swansea
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what information they have about Japanese knotweed and other invasive weeds in old industrial areas near Swansea; whether they have received representations about spraying by contractors for the local authority; and if so, whether they will provide guidance on how to control Japanese knotweed.[HL2037]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord De Mauley) (Con): The environment is a devolved matter in Wales.
Mesothelioma: Compensation
Question
Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many claims for compensation have so far been generated under the terms of the Mesothelioma Act 2014; how that number compares with predicted numbers of claims; what, if any, underspend against budget has resulted; and whether they intend to allocate any underspend for research into finding cures for mesothelioma.[HL2104]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Lord Freud) (Con): The Scheme began taking applications in April 2014, and began making payments on 1 July 2014. As of 30 September 2014 the Scheme had received 173 applications. During the first year of operation we had forecasted around 900 applications to the Scheme.
The DMPS is funded by a levy on the insurance industry. The levy is intended to cover the cost of the Scheme in any one year, and we are not expecting to generate any under spend. Any under spend would be returned to HM Treasury.
Military Aircraft
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in each year since 2007–8, what were the total (1) planned, and (2) actual, usage hours for (a) the C-17 Globemaster, (b) the C-130K Hercules, (c) the C-130J Hercules, (d) the Tristar, and (e) the VC-10, aircraft.[HL1911]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Astor of Hever) (Con): The planned and actual flying hours for financial years 2009-10 onwards are provided in the table below. Figures for the C-130 Hercules reflect the total fleet flying hours irrespective of aircraft Mark as this data is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
| 2009-10 | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | |
Figures are rounded to the nearest 10.
For 2007-08 and 2008-09 I refer the noble Lord to the previous answers given on 15 June 2009 (Official Report, column 8W), 14 May 2009 (Official Report, column 13MC) and 27 April (Official Report, column 1023W).
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
Question
Asked by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence will review its programme for evaluating highly specialised technologies.[HL2064]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe) (Con): The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is currently following an interim methods guide for its highly specialised technologies programme. We understand that NICE expects to commence a review of its methods guide later this year. As part of this review, NICE plans to undertake a public consultation in 2015.
Offences against Children
Question
Asked by Lord Taylor of Warwick
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to address the rising numbers of child abuse allegations.[HL2161]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash) (Con): The Government is clear that protection from abuse and neglect is a fundamental right for all children. The Department for Education is committed to reforming the current child protection system to make sure that children at risk of abuse or neglect are identified early, have an assessment which is based on their individual needs and are able to access services which promote their welfare and protect them from harm.
The Department is improving social worker training and developing further the skills of existing social workers so they can make the right decisions for children. Since 2010, we have invested more than £400million in bursaries and training programmes to attract the very best candidates into the profession.
We have also worked closely with Ofsted to introduce a new, tougher inspection framework for children’s services. From April 2015 this framework will be extended to identify weak interagency working between local authorities, the police and other local agencies. Where child protection services are judged to be not good enough by Ofsted, we are stepping in to make sure that they improve immediately, including by establishing new delivery models to help turn these services around where necessary.
Palestinians
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the International Court of Justice has ruled on the claim by Turkey that Israel’s partial blockade of Gaza constitutes illegal collective punishment; and if so, in what terms.[HL2033]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): The International Court of Justice has not ruled on the legality of Israel’s restrictions around Gaza. The British Government continues to stress to the Israeli authorities the damage that their restrictions are doing to the living standards of ordinary Palestinians in Gaza, and that supporting legal trade for Gazans is firmly in Israel’s long-term interests. We have also encouraged the Egyptian authorities to ease the movement of bona fide travellers through Rafah, and to consider expanding Rafah to goods transit in the medium term, which will help to ease humanitarian pressures. Easing Israeli and Egyptian restrictions would also go some way to alleviate the shortage of medicines and medical supplies, which are much needed.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they are making to the government of Israel about the prison sentence given to Riyadh Mahmoud al-Raddad, a member of the Palestinian parliament.[HL2034]
Baroness Anelay of St Johns: Officials from our Embassy in Tel Aviv are aware of this case. While we have not raised this specific case with the Israel authorities, we regularly raise our concerns over the treatment of Palestinian detainees in general with the Israeli authorities, including at Foreign Minister, Attorney General and National Security Adviser levels.
Regional Schools Commissioners
Question
Asked by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the formal relationship between Regional School Commissioners and Ofsted; and how information will be shared between the two.[HL2047]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash) (Con): Ofsted forms a key part of the overall accountability system for schools and is responsible for judging the quality of education in all maintained schools and academies.
The eight Regional Schools Commissioners (RSCs) are responsible for taking decisions regarding academies (including free schools, university technical colleges and studio schools) on behalf of the Secretary of State in their regions. This includes:
encouraging and approving new academy sponsors to operate in their regions;
taking decisions on the creation of new academies;
a phased role on free school applications;
decisions about changes to open academies; and,
monitoring performance and intervening to secure improvement in underperforming academies, free schools, university technical colleges and studio schools.
The Department for Education has regular contact with Ofsted. At a regional level, each RSC will have an operational working relationship with the Ofsted Regional Director to ensure that information is shared and the necessary action is taken in academies where there are concerns.
Sahel
Question
Asked by The Marquess of Lothian
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the threat posed by Islamists across the Sahel.[HL2058]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): Terrorist groups operating in the Sahel and surrounding regions continue to pose a threat to British nationals and
interests in the region. Active groups include Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and Al Murabitun. They aspire to establish Islamic law in the region and to attack Western interests. A group linked to Al Murabitun claimed responsibility for an attack on the UN peacekeeping Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) on 3 October in which nine peacekeepers were killed. On 7 October another peacekeeper was killed in a rocket attack on a MINUSMA base. We are committed to working with our partners to strengthen the capacity of MINUSMA and the affected nations to counter this threat.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office Travel Advice gives our most accurate assessment of the threat from terrorism to British nationals in the countries across the Sahel. Travel Advice on the Sahel is included in the page for each country in the region and is available on our website at: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice. We encourage all individuals and organisations to take that advice into account when travelling.
School Leaving
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the notice and information given to schools, academies, and sixth-form and further education colleges on the need to introduce new programmes of study to enable students to benefit from the extra time available from raising the school leaving age in September 2013.[HL2025]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash) (Con): We believe schools and colleges were given enough notice and information. The Department for Education introduced 16-19 Study Programme requirements in August 2013 following public consultation in 2011 and a series of publications and dissemination activities in 2012.
“Study Programmes for 16-19 year olds – Government response to consultation and plans for implementation” was published in June 2012. This set out the curriculum changes required. The publication in December 2012 of “16-19 Funding Formula 2013/14 – Funding full participation and study programmes for young people” included further details of the funding conditions associated with these changes.
In autumn 2012, the Department sponsored nine Regional Conferences about 16-19 study programmes. Schools and colleges were further notified of curriculum and funding changes in the termly emails sent by the Department to all head teachers and chairs of governors. The EFA also include details in their fortnightly post-16 bulletins.
Information provided to schools and colleges including articles, case studies, technical guidance and lists of approved vocational qualifications are available on GOV.UK and provider websites. The most recent update is published online at:
www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/343147/16_to_19_study_programmes_departmental_advice.pdf
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their response to the Ofsted survey Transforming 16 to 19 Education and Training (September 2014), in particular its statement on the absence of “evidence of the transformational ‘step change’ intended with the introduction of the 16 to 19 programmes” and its observation that “many of the school and academy leaders....were unaware of the full extent of the requirements of the study programmes”.[HL2027]
Lord Nash: The Ofsted Report “Transforming 16-19 education and training” evaluates progress in the implementation of 16-19 study programmes immediately following their introduction in September 2013. Inevitably, it will take time for such far-reaching changes to take effect.
The Department for Education introduced changes to the 16-19 curriculum to ensure that all students had clear education and employment goals and that the subjects they studied, and other activity, contributed towards these. Students who had not already achieved a GCSE in maths and English were also required to continue to study these subjects.
Ofsted’s report reveals that most schools and colleges had made changes, particularly in relation to English and maths.
Schools and colleges were notified of the 16-19 Study Programme requirements in the termly Departmental emails sent to all head teachers and chairs of governors. Further communications will emphasise how these changes will affect Ofsted inspection grades.
Social Security Benefits: Northern Ireland
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government for how long the information technology system used by the Department for Work and Pensions to calculate welfare benefits will be able to process claims from residents in Northern Ireland if different criteria continue to be used in Great Britain and Northern Ireland.[HL2111]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what costs they estimate will be incurred by the Northern Ireland Executive were the Department for Work and Pensions information technology system to be unable to process claims from Northern Ireland residents.[HL2112]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Lord Freud) (Con): Northern Ireland is responsible for its own social security, pensions and child support systems. The Northern Ireland and Great Britain systems have traditionally operated in tandem in what is effectively a United Kingdom wide system.
Should Northern Ireland decide not to mirror the welfare reform measures in Great Britain, it would be a matter for the Northern Ireland Executive to determine and fund the IT systems needed as a result of their decision.
Sports: Betting
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have undertaken the review recommended in the Parry Report of the Sports Betting Integrity Panel concerning the definition of cheating in the Gambling Act 2005; and whether they consider that the current legislative framework is capable fully to combat the threat to sport from betting-related corruption. [HL2135]
Lord Gardiner of Kimble (Con): The Government reviewed Section 42 of the Gambling Act 2005 in the context of negotiations on the Council of Europe’s draft convention to combat the manipulation of sports competitions.
The Government concluded that Section 42 as currently drafted, together with other fraud and corruption offences already on the statute book, gives prosecutors the tools required to deal with the circumstances that might constitute match fixing.
Teachers: Pay
Question
Asked by Lord Browne of Belmont
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to introduce legislation to give headteachers and schools greater autonomy over teachers' pay and to allow them to reward, recruit, and retain the best teachers.[HL2090]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash) (Con): This Government has recently reformed the statutory framework for teachers’ pay to give maintained schools greater autonomy. New statutory arrangements came into effect in September 2013 that give schools more freedom to decide how much they pay a teacher and how quickly pay progresses. This increased flexibility, which academies already enjoyed, supports headteachers in attracting and recruiting the teachers that they need to deliver outstanding education.
Teachers: Training
Question
Asked by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to boost teacher training applications, particularly in subjects with known shortages, in the light of a shortfall in applications in the last three years.[HL2164]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash) (Con): The Government is committed to supporting recruitment to initial teacher training (ITT) and we are continuing our focus to recruit the best graduates, particularly in subjects where they are most needed.
UCAS data from 15 September shows that 138,610 applications had been made for just 34,890 ITT places in 2014/15, indicating that teaching is a popular choice. However, some subjects fell below published targets in 2013/14 following strong recruitment between 2010/11 and 2012/13, and others such as physics represent a consistent challenge. The Department for Education will not know the final figures for ITT 2014/15 until the ITT census is published in November 2014. We recognise that, as the economy recovers, the labour market is becoming increasingly competitive, which is why we announced increases to ITT bursaries and scholarships for 2015/16.
The Department has again increased tax-free bursaries for mathematics, physics, chemistry, computing and languages trainee teachers, which are now worth up to £25,000 for 2015/16. In addition, the Department continues to work jointly with the Institute for Mathematics and its Applications, the Royal Society of Chemistry, the Institute of Physics and BCS, and the Chartered Institute for IT, to offer scholarship awards of £25,000 in order to attract the most talented graduates into ITT.
We have extended our School Direct (salaried) training programme to encourage more experienced graduates to enter teacher training. School Direct (salaried) is an employment-based route for high-quality, experienced graduates who earn a salary whilst training. For those training in 2015/16 in maths, physics and computing, we have made additional funding available to schools so they can offer salaries of £21,000 nationally and £25,000 in London.
We are also continuing to fund subject knowledge enhancement (SKE) courses for those who need to build up or refresh their subject knowledge in order to teach. To support ITT in 2015/16, SKE is available in maths, physics, chemistry, computing, languages and design and technology.
In September 2014, the Department launched a new marketing campaign ‘Your Future | Their Future’ which promotes teaching and persuades top graduates and career changers to enter teacher training.
Specific support is also provided for individuals interested in teaching shortage subjects through targeted marketing, personal advisors and help securing school experience.