Supply teachers costs have rocketed to £76m

The cost of hiring supply teachers throughout Scotland has surged to more than £76 million in the last year, figures show.

- CRAIG MEIGHAN, PA SCOTLAND

The data, obtained by the Conservatives through freedom of information requests, shows the cost of supply teachers has risen every year since at least 2021.

The party said the"eye-watering" figures show that, in the last four years, local authorities spent more than £277m on these roles.

In 2021-22, local authorities spent £63.1m on supply teachers, rising to £65.9m in 2022-23, £71.6m in 2023-24, and £76.6m in 2024-25.

It represents an increase of more than £13m in three years.