To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many teachers have entered teacher training under the Transition to Teaching programme since its inception; how much his Department has spent on the programme to date; and if he will make a statement. (275038)

Transition to Teaching is currently supporting 225 participants with more people joining the programme every week. These people are being supported to explore the possibility of training as teachers, have applied for places, gained places or begun training. It is supported by 282 companies and that number is expected to rise. Since the programme was launched in July 2008 the Training and Development Agency for Schools using grant in aid from the Department has spent £1,228,812 on it. This includes initial set-up and launch costs and costs incurred supporting participants.