Government response

Schools Minister Lord Hill responds to 'The Times' story concerning the General Teaching Council for England (GTC)

Lord Hill rebuffs 'The Times' criticisms on closing down the GTC and sets out the Department for Education's plans to transfer specific GTC functions to other bodies.

• From: Department for Education
• Published: 14 June 2010

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

Dear Sir

Contrary to your report (Cameron and Gove ‘failing to back headteachers over poor staff’, 5 June 2010) we are scrapping the General Teaching Council for England (GTC) precisely because it is not delivering what heads want. We do need to have an effective way of dealing with incompetence and misconduct and will be setting out which of GTC’s functions should be transferred to other bodies. In addition to the £400,000 grant mentioned, the taxpayer subsidises GTC membership by almost £16 million a year.

Yours faithfully

Lord Hill of Oareford
Schools Minister

Published 14 June 2010