HC Deb 16 October 2001 vol 372 cc1177-8W
Mr. Blizzard

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans she has to increase the number of places available under the Graduate Teacher Programme. [6541]

Mr. Timms

The number of Graduate Teacher Programme places available has risen every year since the programme was introduced in January 1998. In the 2001–02 academic year, 2,250 fully funded places are being offered, over 700 more than last year. Each of these places attracts grants of up to £17,000.

I announced on 24 September that additional places would be made available in January 2002 with grants of up to £4,000 to cover training costs only. With demand for places on the Graduate Teacher Programme buoyant, these places are being offered in response to requests from head teachers who are willing to meet the salary costs of trainees from their schools' own budgets.