§ Mr. FatchettTo ask the Secretary of State for Education how many teachers took early retirement, and for what reason, during each of the last five years.
§ Mr. ForthThe number of teachers from England and Wales who took early retirement and claimed retirement benefits during each of the last five years is shown in the table.
The figures include teachers in FE and PCFC colleges and the independent sector as well as maintained nursery, primary, secondary and special schools.
Retirements on grounds of efficiency or redundancy include those teachers who were over the normal retirement age of 60 when benefits were paid.
Reason for retirement Financial year Interest of efficiency Redundancy Ill-health 1988–89 8,971 3,389 3,412 1989–90 9,633 2,675 4,123 1990–91 8,981 2,691 4,938 1991–92 7,357 2,932 4,656 11992–93 8,360 3,833 4,775 1 Provisional.