Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the Government's proposals to reduce the number of government agencies, what discussions he has had with (a) HM Treasury and (b) the Teaching Regulation Agency on that body's future (i) operation and (ii) budget; and if he will make a statement.

The Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) is an executive agency of the Department for Education.

The TRA operates the regulatory system for teacher misconduct and acts on behalf of the Secretary of State for Education to investigate allegations of serious teacher misconduct and determines whether a prohibition order is appropriate.

The TRA also acts on behalf of the Secretary of State as the competent authority for teaching in England. This role includes the recognition of the professional status of appropriately qualified teachers from outside England and the Award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

The Department has not entered into any recent discussions with HM Treasury on the TRA’s future operation and budget. The Department has regular, routine discussions with the TRA about its operations and budget as part of regular assurance processes with its Executive Agencies.