Autumn Budget 2017: The Key Points for Teachers and Those in Education
 
 
In the leadup to the Autumn Budget’s announcement on Wednesday 22 November 2017, like many before, there was much speculation from those in teaching as to what they could expect. What will The Chancellor of the Exchequer’s little red box have in store for those in education?
 
Phillip Hammond, The Chancellor of the Exchequer, has been under pressure from teachers, parents, and education unions to invest more money into schools.
 
The financial strain on schools was underlined recently with Nick Gibb, the schools standards minister commenting that it’s “not right” for heads to be asking parents to fund classroom essentials. His comments came after a school in Prime Minister Theresa May’s constituency asked parents to make a voluntary £1 a day contribution to help pay for books, pens and pencils.
 
 
But it’s not all bad news. Teachers in England and Wales – along with other frontline public servants – may receive a sizeable pay rise in 2018, after the government indicated it would lift the 1% cap on wage increases it had previously applied.
 
So, what can teachers and others in the education sector expect going forward?
We take a look at bottom line of Hammond’s 2017 Autumn Budget:
 
 
National Retraining Scheme
 
During his speech, Hammond announced plans for a retraining scheme, saying:
 
 ‘The Education Secretary and I are launching a historic partnership, between government, the CBI and the TUC – to set the strategic direction for a National Retraining Scheme.’
 
Its first priority will be to boost digital skills and to support the expansion of the construction sector.
 
And to make a start immediately, we will invest £30 million in the development of digital skills distance learning courses, so people can learn wherever they are, and whenever they want.
 
And I am pleased to be able to accept the representation I have received from the TUC to continue to fund UnionLearn, which I recognise as a valuable part of our support to workplace learning.’
 
 
T-levels
 
The Chancellor announced an introduction of T-levels with a further £20m to support Further Education colleges in preparation for them. This comes after having already pledged £500 million in funds for T-levels in the Spring Budget.
 
He said: ‘Knowledge of maths is key to the high-tech, cutting edge jobs in our digital economy.
 
 
Teaching for Mastery of Maths Programme
 
As some sources had previously suggested, The Chancellor has promised a boost for schools in the Autumn Budget: The Teaching for Mastery of Maths programme shall be expanded to a further 3000 schools, with £40 million to train maths teachers throughout the UK.
 
More financial support will be given through an introduction of a £600 Maths Premium for schools, for every additional pupil who takes A-level or Core maths. A proposal for new maths schools across England was also hinted at.
 
The Chancellor said this was so ‘highly talented young mathematicians can realise their potential wherever they live and whatever their background. More maths for everyone.’
 
An aim to triple the number of trained computer science teachers to 12,000 was also announced. Teachers will enter a nationwide retraining scheme after calls from the TUCunion.
 
 
If you’d like to expand your career, visit our jobs boardto look at the latest roles. If you’d just like to have a chat about teaching, then get in touch with one of our experienced education consultants.
 
Call 0208 5066740 or email info@urbanlearning.co.uk