Third of all young teachers say cost of housing ‘affects ability to do job’

dailyrecord.co.uk:

One in three young teachers says their housing situation is affecting their ability to do their job, according to a recent survey.

Nearly three in four (71%) young teachers surveyed said the cost of housing has made them consider whether they will stay in the profession in the long term, according to a poll by the NASUWT teaching union.The poll, of nearly 1,100 NASUWT members aged 30 and under across the UK, suggests 29% have left a previous teaching job or considered leaving their current post due to housing costs.

The findings have been released ahead of the union’s annual conference in Glasgow over the Easter weekend.About 32% said their housing situation has affected their ability to do their job as a teacher.

One teacher who responded to the survey said: “I am a single parent and I have to now work two jobs in order to keep a roof over myself and my child’s head — I have to spend less time on my teaching efforts and put this time into working a second job.”Another said: “I can’t buy what I need for my classroom (glue sticks, books, pens, rulers, pencils etc), therefore some lessons students can’t write or participate because they don’t have the resources they need.” Two in three (66%) said they have seen their mortgage or rent go up in the last 12 months.Among these, the majority said they have had to cut back spending on food (70%) and heating (63%).