Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 4 February 2015 to Question 222652, whether she plans that the amount of funding allocated to the training of educational psychologists will remain at the same level as over the last five years.

The amount of funding allocated to the training of educational psychologists over the next five financial years (2015-16 to 2019-20) is expected to increase. From the 2016 intake the:

• Number of training places will rise by 14% from 132 to 150

• Year one[1] government bursary will increase by 10% from £14,400 to £15,950 (£14,900 to £16,390 for trainees attending a university in London).

The exact figures are not yet known as we are currently out to open tender for training providers to deliver training for intakes in 2016 and 2017, with an option for an intake in 2018. Copies of the tender can be found at: https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/b466174e-b2a0-4da4-8790-583aa2457cbe

The Secretary of State will make a decision on funding for a 2018 intake in 2016-17 and on intakes beyond 2019 in 2017-18.

[1] Local authority educational psychology services and schools pay trainees a bursary when they are on practice placement in years two and three.