EDUCATION unions launched a blistering attack today over the use of private agencies supplying teachers to schools in Wales and the government’s failure to act on pay.

School leaders’ union NAHT Cymru was responding to figures that show 16 councils spent more than £78 million on supply teachers in 2023/24. 

NAHT Cymru’s Laura Doel said: “This huge bill is shocking but not surprising — many schools are struggling to make budgets add up, they cannot magic the permanent teachers they need out of thin air.