Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of requiring employment agencies representing supply teachers to use the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

The Government has extended the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) until 31 Match 2021 to support individuals and businesses who are impacted by disruption caused by COVID-19 this winter: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-for-wage-costs-through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme#when-furlough.

The CJRS is open to all employers that meet the eligibility criteria, with no differences in the scheme from sector to sector: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-which-employees-you-can-put-on-furlough-to-use-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme.

If supply teachers employed via employment agencies are unable to find work due to COVID-19, unable to work as they are clinically extremely vulnerable, or unable to work due to caring responsibilities resulting from COVID-19, their employment agency can claim for 80% of their wages, including during school holiday periods, provided that the usual eligibility criteria are met.

Whether or not an employer wishes to furlough their employees via the CJRS is entirely at the employer's discretion.

Schools in England reopened in full to all pupils in September 2020, with the demand for supply teachers returning to normal levels. The Department has also announced a new COVID-19 workforce fund to support schools that are eligible for the fund with some of the costs of covering staff absences in schools, this can include employing supply staff to cover these absences: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-funding-to-support-schools-and-colleges-during-covid-pandemic.