§ Mr. DoverTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what assessment she has made of the impact on the job prospects of newly qualified teachers of teachers who have taken early retirement returning to work; [15586]
(2) if she will make it her policy that teachers who have taken early retirement are not re-employed as teachers on a (a) full-time (b) part-time or (c) supply basis. [15585]
§ Mr. Robin SquireThe Department does not believe that the re-employment of retired teachers is having an adverse effect on the job prospects of newly qualified teachers. In 1986–87, 12,600 newly qualified teachers entered full-time teaching, 42 per cent. of all entrants. In 1993–94, the latest year for which we have information, the figures were 17,700 and 58 per cent. respectively. My right hon. Friend has no plans to make it her policy to ban re-employment of teachers who have been granted premature retirement. Teachers whose re-employment brings the total of salary and pension they receive above the rate of their previous salary are subject to abatement of pension.
12W