Commenting on the Prime Minister’s speech to set out new milestones for the Labour Government, Dr Patrick Roach, General Secretary of NASUWT – The Teachers’ Union, said:

“Fourteen years of Conservative government starved our public services of resources, funding, and respect. Rebuilding and reinvigorating our public services will be complex, and it will take time and require significant additional investment.

“There has already been a positive start since the general election. This year’s pay award for teachers, additional investment for SEND provision, prioritisation of mental health support in schools, and the reinstatement of the right of all pupils to be taught by qualified teachers are welcome developments, but they are just the beginning of what is needed to deliver the change this country deserves.

“It is right that there should be a national effort to ensure that all children start school ready to learn. Children who are given the best start will be in a better position to progress and achieve their full potential.

“It must be said that no ambition in the education sector can be fulfilled without teachers. Recruiting the target 6500 teachers will go a long way to addressing the profession’s staffing crisis but it must be underpinned by a national plan to recruit, retain and raise the status of the workforce and make teaching the profession of choice for graduates.”