I am very anxious that all teachers working in our system are treated fairly and paid appropriately. I am more than aware of the concerns that have been expressed around pay rates associated with those people who are employed by agencies. You will be aware, I hope, that we are working very closely with the MPS Education in preparation for any new tendering process that they will undertake in the spring of this year, so that the framework that they offer is fit for purpose and incorporates the principles endorsed by the code of practice on ethical employment in supply chains and fair work principles.

We are also looking to introduce mandatory quality assurance standards for supply agencies so that any commercial agency wishing to supply temporary teachers to maintained schools in Wales would need to meet certain requirements, and standards would support schools and supply teachers, I believe, and drive up quality of teaching and learning opportunities for students. So, we are examining a whole raft of ways in which we can ensure that all teachers who work in our schools on a part-time or on a supply basis are treated fairly and paid appropriately.