Schools in north-east Lincolnshire are already benefiting from the fact that there are more teachers in post in England than at any time since 1984. They come on top of an expansion of the graduate teacher programme to 2,250 places in England in a full year, the introduction nationally of new courses for those returning to teaching and further improvements to teachers' pay, including a 6 per cent. Like everyone else, I am delighted at the Government's efforts to improve teacher recruitment. That is only right and proper. It is important that kids from Grimsby should not be disadvantaged by any prolongation of this crisis.
Friend is right.
Friend will be reassured that in each of the areas that he mentioned there have been large increases in applicants to start teacher training this year. I very much hope that schools in his constituency will be able to recruit from them as well as from the record number of people who are leaving teacher training. The Chairman of Ways and Means has named opposed private business for consideration at Seven o'clock. Motion relating to the establishment of a working group on provision for former Members. The House will not be sitting.