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Trainee teachers could get a cash handout under Teacher Training Agency plans to encourage applicants to undersubscribed subject areas. Plans will be put before ministers in September, the TTA said this week, writes Phil Baty.

The financial burden of four-year courses for trainee teachers has long been identified as a key cause of the recruitment crisis. Latest Universities and Colleges Admissions Service figures found teacher training applications for four-year courses have dropped 11 per cent. Shortages are particularly acute in languages, maths, sciences and design and technology.