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<p>Further Education (FE) providers are private sector institutions, independent from
the government, and so are responsible for setting their own staff pay and conditions.
However, we acknowledge that FE faces cost pressures, and that this can impact on
teacher pay and workload. The department will be making a strong case for increased
FE funding, including for investment in FE teacher recruitment and retention ahead
of the Spending Review.</p><p>We value our FE teachers and all the excellent work
they do, which is why, since 2013-14, we have invested over £140 million in FE teachers
and leaders. This includes workforce development through the independent Education
and Training Foundation.</p><p>The department has worked closely with the FE sector,
including providers and representative bodies, to understand the challenges for teacher
recruitment and retention, and see where we can provide appropriate support. We have
also commissioned research on the impact of previous incentives which is attached
and available at the following link: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/incentive-programmes-for-the-recruitment-and-retention-of-teachers-in-further-education-fe"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/incentive-programmes-for-the-recruitment-and-retention-of-teachers-in-further-education-fe</a>.</p><p>Research
has also been conducted looking at comparable professions which is attached and available
at the following link: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/identifying-fe-teacher-comparators"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/identifying-fe-teacher-comparators</a>.
These research projects have been commissioned to inform our planning for the upcoming
Spending Review.</p><p>Ultimately, we know that lower teacher pay makes recruitment
and retention more difficult in FE when compared to school teaching and relevant industries.
We also know that workload is often one of the main reasons given for leaving the
profession. Our Workload Reduction Toolkit, developed by system leaders, teachers
and other experts (though aimed primarily at school teachers and leaders) can also
be used by FE providers. The Toolkit is attached and available at the following link:
<a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/reducing-workload-in-your-school" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/guidance/reducing-workload-in-your-school</a>.</p><p>More
widely, we know that ensuring teacher wellbeing is essential, which is why my right
hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education announced earlier this year the
establishment of an expert advisory group on wellbeing. This group brings together
experts from the wellbeing, schools and FE fields who are providing expert advice
and working with us to look at what government, FE colleges and others can do to promote
staff wellbeing.</p>
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