Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will intervene to ensure supply teachers employed by agencies and umbrella companies are (a) paid the same rate as those employed directly by a school or local authority and (b) able to access to the Teachers' Pension Scheme.

Most supply teacher salaries are paid by supply agencies, and schools can negotiate fees with these agencies. The department trusts schools to agree a fair price for teachers. Supply teachers can register with multiple agencies to find the best pay and conditions to meet their own circumstances.

Agency Worker Regulations provides that all workers on assignments that exceed 12 weeks are paid on equal terms as permanent staff after the 12^th week.

The Teachers’ Pensions Regulations provide for supply teachers participating in the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS) where they are employed by a scheme employer. These are local authorities, academies, and further education colleges.

Where supply teachers are self-employed or employed by a supply agency and their services are provided under a ‘contract for services’, it is not possible for them to participate in the TPS as there is no organisation to undertake the employer role which includes remitting contributions to the scheme.