Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans he has to review agency fees in relation to supply teachers.

There are no current plans to review agency fees in relation to supply teachers, as these remain to be determined between schools and agencies.

The Department has launched a new deal in conjunction with the Crown Commercial Service to support schools with getting value for money when hiring agency supply teachers and other temporary staff. Agencies on the deal must be open and consistent with schools and staff about the rates they charge, conduct that is expected, rigorous background screening checks and adhere to strict controls around the charging of temporary-to-permanent fees.

The Department continues to recommend schools to use suppliers that offer the best rates and value for money for their agency staffing needs.

Information on the guidance included in the deal is available here:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/deal-for-schools-hiring-supply-teachers-and-agency-workers.