REC and trade unions call on government to extend furlough support for supply teachers

The REC along with NASUWT, the NEU, the TUC and Community have called on the government to ensure job protection for supply teachers and support staff while schools remain closed.

While the support package available from Government during the crisis has been generous in many areas, there is a lack of financial support available to supply teachers and staff. Agencies that have decided to furlough their supply staff now cannot backdate their claim to the start of the school term in January. This, combined with the lack of income available as a result of schools being closed, has left supply staff struggling - a situation which needs to be urgently addressed.

In an open letter to government, the REC and trade union signatories have called on government to take swift action to:

• Reissue the Procurement Policy Notice (PPN 04/20) that was put in place during the first lockdown.
• Allow agencies to backdate furlough claims to the start of the January term to minimise the loss of income to supply teachers and other staff.

You can download the letter here.