New research has revealed the impact of the Labour government after less than a year – with full time equivalent teacher numbers falling by 156 compared to last year across the Tees Valley.
The research makes for shocking reading, with cuts across each of the Tees Valley’s Parliamentary constituencies, and much of the North East – despite Labour’s Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson and Schools Minister Catherine McKinnell representing constituencies in the region!
In Stockton West, there are 18 fewer teachers compared to last year, whilst nearby Middlesborough and Thornaby East has seen the highest drop in the entire country, with 51.1 fewer full-time equivalent teachers.
Despite North East cuts, some leafy parts of London and the South have seen teacher numbers increase, including in Chelsea and Fulham, Bury St Edmunds and West Dorset.
Overall, there are 2,900 fewer teachers in English primary and nursery schools than last year – despite the Labour Party’s promise of 6,500 extra teachers. One of the biggest decreases across the whole of the UK was in nearby Middlesbrough and Thornaby East, which has lost 51 teachers compared to last year.
Stockton West Conservative MP, Matt Vickers, said:
“Our hardworking teachers are the backbone of our school system – which is why it is completely reckless and short-sighted to see teacher numbers in Stockton and across the Tees Valley fall so dramatically just a year into this Labour Government.
“Labour promised to dramatically increase teacher numbers, yet they’ve done the complete opposite.
“The Conservative government delivered more teachers, with more funding and more apprenticeship opportunities – but Labour are putting all that progress at risk by attacking the ladder of opportunity for our young people.”
Under the previous Conservative Government, there was an increase of almost 27,000 full-time equivalent teachers.
