Skip to main content
Donate to the 95 years appeal
Education unions launch blistering attack on the cost of supply teachers in Wales
School children in a classroom

EDUCATION unions launched a blistering attack today over the use of private agencies supplying teachers to schools in Wales and the government’s failure to act on pay.

School leaders’ union NAHT Cymru was responding to figures that show 16 councils spent more than £78 million on supply teachers in 2023/24. 

NAHT Cymru’s Laura Doel said: “This huge bill is shocking but not surprising — many schools are struggling to make budgets add up, they cannot magic the permanent teachers they need out of thin air.

National Education Union Cymru’s Nicola Fitzpatrick said: “The sum spent on private agencies is scandalous, compounded by the fact that some local authorities make their schools use agencies because they won’t payroll supply teachers themselves.”

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
More from this author
A view of the Senedd, the Welsh parliament building in Cardiff
Wales / 30 September 2025
30 September 2025
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage (left) and newly announced party candidate for the upcoming Caerphilly Senedd by-election Llyr Powell (right) outside the Reform UK office in Caerphilly, September 12, 2025
Wales / 29 September 2025
29 September 2025

Welsh Labour come out fighting to win by-election

Britain / 25 September 2025
25 September 2025
WTUC president-elect Laura Doe chairing the conference
Wales / 24 September 2025
24 September 2025